NSG 3100 Infection Control Exam Questions
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
1. Which action is considered the most important measure for
preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing a surgical mask during every patient interaction
B. Using antibiotics prophylactically
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Wearing two pairs of gloves
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection
prevention because healthcare workers can transfer
microorganisms between patients, surfaces, equipment, and
themselves through their hands. Proper hand hygiene should be
performed before and after patient contact, before aseptic
procedures, after exposure to body fluids, and after touching the
patient or their surroundings. Gloves do not replace hand
hygiene because microorganisms can contaminate hands during
glove removal or through small defects in gloves.
2. Which microorganism is classified as a bacterium?
,A. Candida albicans
B. Influenza virus
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Giardia lamblia
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that can
colonize the skin and nose and can cause infections ranging
from wound infections to serious bloodstream infections.
Candida albicans is a fungus, influenza is a virus, and Giardia
lamblia is a protozoan parasite. Correctly identifying
microorganisms helps nurses understand appropriate
prevention, treatment, and transmission-control measures.
3. What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?
A. To protect only patients with weakened immune systems
B. To prevent only airborne infections
C. To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from
recognized and unrecognized sources
D. To eliminate the need for additional precautions
Rationale: Standard precautions are applied to all patients
regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. They
are based on the principle that blood, body fluids, non-intact
skin, mucous membranes, and certain potentially contaminated
materials may contain infectious organisms. Additional
transmission-based precautions may be required when a
,specific infection or suspected infection presents an increased
transmission risk.
4. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene with an
alcohol-based hand rub. Which action is appropriate?
A. Apply the product only to the fingertips
B. Rinse the hands with water immediately afterward
C. Rub the product over all hand surfaces until the hands are
dry
D. Use the product only when the hands are visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub should cover all surfaces of
the hands, including palms, backs of hands, between fingers,
and fingertips, and should be rubbed until dry. It is effective
against many microorganisms and is preferred in most routine
clinical situations when hands are not visibly dirty. Soap and
water should be used when hands are visibly soiled and in
certain specific infection-control situations.
5. Which situation requires the nurse to wash the hands with
soap and water rather than relying solely on alcohol-based
hand rub?
A. Before taking a patient's blood pressure
B. After touching clean linens
, C. When the hands are visibly soiled
D. Before entering a patient's room
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is highly effective in many
routine circumstances but does not physically remove visible dirt
or organic material. When hands are visibly soiled, washing
with soap and water is necessary. Handwashing is also
particularly important in situations where organisms such as
spore-forming pathogens may be present, because mechanical
washing helps remove spores from the hands.
6. Which component of the chain of infection represents the
microorganism capable of causing disease?
A. Portal of entry
B. Reservoir
C. Infectious agent
D. Susceptible host
Rationale: The infectious agent is the microorganism
responsible for causing infection, such as a bacterium, virus,
fungus, or parasite. The chain of infection also includes a
reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry,
and susceptible host. Breaking any link in this chain can reduce
or prevent infection transmission.
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
1. Which action is considered the most important measure for
preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing a surgical mask during every patient interaction
B. Using antibiotics prophylactically
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Wearing two pairs of gloves
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection
prevention because healthcare workers can transfer
microorganisms between patients, surfaces, equipment, and
themselves through their hands. Proper hand hygiene should be
performed before and after patient contact, before aseptic
procedures, after exposure to body fluids, and after touching the
patient or their surroundings. Gloves do not replace hand
hygiene because microorganisms can contaminate hands during
glove removal or through small defects in gloves.
2. Which microorganism is classified as a bacterium?
,A. Candida albicans
B. Influenza virus
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Giardia lamblia
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that can
colonize the skin and nose and can cause infections ranging
from wound infections to serious bloodstream infections.
Candida albicans is a fungus, influenza is a virus, and Giardia
lamblia is a protozoan parasite. Correctly identifying
microorganisms helps nurses understand appropriate
prevention, treatment, and transmission-control measures.
3. What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?
A. To protect only patients with weakened immune systems
B. To prevent only airborne infections
C. To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from
recognized and unrecognized sources
D. To eliminate the need for additional precautions
Rationale: Standard precautions are applied to all patients
regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. They
are based on the principle that blood, body fluids, non-intact
skin, mucous membranes, and certain potentially contaminated
materials may contain infectious organisms. Additional
transmission-based precautions may be required when a
,specific infection or suspected infection presents an increased
transmission risk.
4. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene with an
alcohol-based hand rub. Which action is appropriate?
A. Apply the product only to the fingertips
B. Rinse the hands with water immediately afterward
C. Rub the product over all hand surfaces until the hands are
dry
D. Use the product only when the hands are visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub should cover all surfaces of
the hands, including palms, backs of hands, between fingers,
and fingertips, and should be rubbed until dry. It is effective
against many microorganisms and is preferred in most routine
clinical situations when hands are not visibly dirty. Soap and
water should be used when hands are visibly soiled and in
certain specific infection-control situations.
5. Which situation requires the nurse to wash the hands with
soap and water rather than relying solely on alcohol-based
hand rub?
A. Before taking a patient's blood pressure
B. After touching clean linens
, C. When the hands are visibly soiled
D. Before entering a patient's room
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is highly effective in many
routine circumstances but does not physically remove visible dirt
or organic material. When hands are visibly soiled, washing
with soap and water is necessary. Handwashing is also
particularly important in situations where organisms such as
spore-forming pathogens may be present, because mechanical
washing helps remove spores from the hands.
6. Which component of the chain of infection represents the
microorganism capable of causing disease?
A. Portal of entry
B. Reservoir
C. Infectious agent
D. Susceptible host
Rationale: The infectious agent is the microorganism
responsible for causing infection, such as a bacterium, virus,
fungus, or parasite. The chain of infection also includes a
reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry,
and susceptible host. Breaking any link in this chain can reduce
or prevent infection transmission.
