NCLEX RN Safety and Infection Control
Practice Exam 5 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Place the client in a positive-pressure room.
B. Place the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
C. Use a surgical mask when entering the room.
D. Keep the room door open for ventilation.
Answer: B. Place the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation
room.
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for suspected or confirmed
pulmonary tuberculosis. A negative-pressure room helps prevent
contaminated air from circulating into other areas of the facility.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is most
effective for preventing medication errors?
A. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar.
B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record.
C. Prepare medications for several clients at the same time.
D. Document the medication before administering it.
,Answer: B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration
record.
Rationale: Comparing the medication label with the medication
administration record helps verify the correct medication, dose, route, time,
and client before administration.
Question 3
A client is placed on contact precautions. Which personal protective equipment
should the nurse use when entering the room?
A. N95 respirator only
B. Surgical mask only
C. Gown and gloves
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: C. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves when contact with
the client or potentially contaminated environmental surfaces is anticipated.
Question 4
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) after surgery
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with new-onset stridor
D. A client reporting pain of 7/10
Answer: C. A client with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor indicates possible upper-airway obstruction and threatens
airway patency. Airway problems take priority.
Question 5
A nurse finds a client lying on the floor beside the bed. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Help the client back into bed.
B. Complete an incident report.
,C. Assess the client for injury.
D. Notify the health care provider.
Answer: C. Assess the client for injury.
Rationale: After a fall, the nurse should first assess the client for injury and
physiologic stability before moving the client or completing documentation.
Question 6
Which action is appropriate when removing contaminated gloves?
A. Touch the outside of both gloves with bare hands.
B. Remove both gloves simultaneously by pulling at the fingertips.
C. Grasp the outside of one glove with the opposite gloved hand.
D. Wash the gloves before removing them.
Answer: C. Grasp the outside of one glove with the opposite gloved hand.
Rationale: The outside of gloves is considered contaminated. The nurse
should avoid touching the contaminated surface with bare skin.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand
hygiene method is preferred after caring for the client?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
C. Sterile water
D. Antiseptic lotion
Answer: B. Soap and water
Rationale: Soap and water are preferred when caring for clients with C.
difficile because alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not reliably eliminate
spores.
Question 8
A nurse notices smoke coming from a client's room. What is the nurse's priority
action?
, A. Extinguish the fire.
B. Activate the fire alarm.
C. Remove the client from immediate danger.
D. Close all unit windows.
Answer: C. Remove the client from immediate danger.
Rationale: The first action in a fire emergency is to rescue anyone in
immediate danger. The remaining fire-response actions follow according to
facility policy.
Question 9
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of a safety belt for a client in a
wheelchair?
A. Apply the belt tightly around the client's chest.
B. Use the belt as punishment for unsafe behavior.
C. Ensure the belt allows appropriate circulation and positioning.
D. Leave the client unattended after applying the belt.
Answer: C. Ensure the belt allows appropriate circulation and positioning.
Rationale: A safety belt must be applied correctly to prevent injury and
should never be used as punishment or as a substitute for appropriate
supervision.
Question 10
A nurse sustains a needlestick injury while disposing of a used needle. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Wash the area with soap and water.
C. Call the client's family.
D. Apply a sterile dressing without washing.
Answer: B. Wash the area with soap and water.
Rationale: After a needlestick injury, the area should immediately be washed
with soap and water. The exposure should then be reported and evaluated
according to occupational-exposure protocols.
Practice Exam 5 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Place the client in a positive-pressure room.
B. Place the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
C. Use a surgical mask when entering the room.
D. Keep the room door open for ventilation.
Answer: B. Place the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation
room.
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for suspected or confirmed
pulmonary tuberculosis. A negative-pressure room helps prevent
contaminated air from circulating into other areas of the facility.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is most
effective for preventing medication errors?
A. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar.
B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration record.
C. Prepare medications for several clients at the same time.
D. Document the medication before administering it.
,Answer: B. Compare the medication label with the medication administration
record.
Rationale: Comparing the medication label with the medication
administration record helps verify the correct medication, dose, route, time,
and client before administration.
Question 3
A client is placed on contact precautions. Which personal protective equipment
should the nurse use when entering the room?
A. N95 respirator only
B. Surgical mask only
C. Gown and gloves
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: C. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves when contact with
the client or potentially contaminated environmental surfaces is anticipated.
Question 4
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) after surgery
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with new-onset stridor
D. A client reporting pain of 7/10
Answer: C. A client with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor indicates possible upper-airway obstruction and threatens
airway patency. Airway problems take priority.
Question 5
A nurse finds a client lying on the floor beside the bed. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Help the client back into bed.
B. Complete an incident report.
,C. Assess the client for injury.
D. Notify the health care provider.
Answer: C. Assess the client for injury.
Rationale: After a fall, the nurse should first assess the client for injury and
physiologic stability before moving the client or completing documentation.
Question 6
Which action is appropriate when removing contaminated gloves?
A. Touch the outside of both gloves with bare hands.
B. Remove both gloves simultaneously by pulling at the fingertips.
C. Grasp the outside of one glove with the opposite gloved hand.
D. Wash the gloves before removing them.
Answer: C. Grasp the outside of one glove with the opposite gloved hand.
Rationale: The outside of gloves is considered contaminated. The nurse
should avoid touching the contaminated surface with bare skin.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand
hygiene method is preferred after caring for the client?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
C. Sterile water
D. Antiseptic lotion
Answer: B. Soap and water
Rationale: Soap and water are preferred when caring for clients with C.
difficile because alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not reliably eliminate
spores.
Question 8
A nurse notices smoke coming from a client's room. What is the nurse's priority
action?
, A. Extinguish the fire.
B. Activate the fire alarm.
C. Remove the client from immediate danger.
D. Close all unit windows.
Answer: C. Remove the client from immediate danger.
Rationale: The first action in a fire emergency is to rescue anyone in
immediate danger. The remaining fire-response actions follow according to
facility policy.
Question 9
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of a safety belt for a client in a
wheelchair?
A. Apply the belt tightly around the client's chest.
B. Use the belt as punishment for unsafe behavior.
C. Ensure the belt allows appropriate circulation and positioning.
D. Leave the client unattended after applying the belt.
Answer: C. Ensure the belt allows appropriate circulation and positioning.
Rationale: A safety belt must be applied correctly to prevent injury and
should never be used as punishment or as a substitute for appropriate
supervision.
Question 10
A nurse sustains a needlestick injury while disposing of a used needle. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Wash the area with soap and water.
C. Call the client's family.
D. Apply a sterile dressing without washing.
Answer: B. Wash the area with soap and water.
Rationale: After a needlestick injury, the area should immediately be washed
with soap and water. The exposure should then be reported and evaluated
according to occupational-exposure protocols.
