NCLEX Safety & Infection Control Practice Questions

15 free NCLEX-RN safety & infection control questions with answers and rationales — perfect for nclex infection control questions practice. Want them as an interactive timed quiz?

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1. A client with tuberculosis is admitted to the hospital. Which of the following is the best nursing action to prevent the spread of infection?
- A. Place the client in a negative pressure room. ✓
- B. Wear a surgical mask when entering the room.
- C. Use contact precautions when handling the client's linens.
- D. Instruct the client to wear a mask when outside the room.
Answer: A. Place the client in a negative pressure room. — Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include placing the client in a negative pressure room to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication but notices the dose is incorrect on the client’s medication administration record. What is the best nursing action?
- A. Administer the medication and document the discrepancy.
- B. Call the physician to clarify the order. ✓
- C. Ask another nurse to verify the dose before administering.
- D. Hold the medication and report the error to the nurse manager.
Answer: B. Call the physician to clarify the order. — Clarifying the order with the physician ensures that the correct dose is administered, preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety.
3. A client on contact precautions needs to be transported to radiology. What is the BEST nursing action to minimize infection risk during transport?
- A. Place a surgical mask on the client.
- B. Ensure all staff wear gloves and gowns.
- C. Cover the client with a clean sheet. ✓
- D. Disinfect the wheelchair after use.
Answer: C. Cover the client with a clean sheet. — Covering the client with a clean sheet helps contain any infectious agents, minimizing the risk of spreading infection during transport.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with C. difficile. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the room?
- A. Gown and gloves. ✓
- B. Mask and gloves.
- C. Gown, gloves, and mask.
- D. Gloves only.
Answer: A. Gown and gloves. — Contact precautions for C. difficile include wearing a gown and gloves to prevent the spread of spores, which are transmitted via contact.
5. Which action should a nurse take first to ensure safety when a client with Alzheimer’s disease attempts to climb out of bed?
- A. Apply physical restraints.
- B. Use a bed alarm.
- C. Lower the bed to the floor. ✓
- D. Call for assistance.
Answer: C. Lower the bed to the floor. — Lowering the bed to the floor minimizes the risk of injury if the client attempts to climb out, ensuring immediate safety.
6. A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for droplet precautions. Which statement by a student indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. I will wear a surgical mask within 3 feet of the client.
- B. I do not need to wear gloves unless there is contact with secretions.
- C. A gown is not necessary unless there is a risk of contact with body fluids.
- D. I should wear a respirator mask when entering the room. ✓
Answer: D. I should wear a respirator mask when entering the room. — A respirator mask is not required for droplet precautions; a surgical mask is sufficient. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of droplet precautions.
7. A nurse notices a frayed electrical cord in a client’s room. What is the best immediate action?
- A. Unplug the device and tag it for maintenance. ✓
- B. Continue using the device until maintenance arrives.
- C. Report the issue to the nurse manager.
- D. Remove the device and document the incident.
Answer: A. Unplug the device and tag it for maintenance. — Unplugging the device and tagging it prevents use and ensures it is repaired, reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
8. When caring for a client with MRSA in a wound, which is the best infection control practice?
- A. Use an N95 respirator mask.
- B. Apply a surgical mask.
- C. Implement contact precautions. ✓
- D. Utilize droplet precautions.
Answer: C. Implement contact precautions. — MRSA in a wound requires contact precautions to prevent the spread of the bacteria through direct or indirect contact.
9. A client with a history of falls is found wandering the hallway at night. What is the best nursing intervention?
- A. Put the client in a wheelchair with a lap belt.
- B. Assist the client back to bed and apply a bed alarm. ✓
- C. Place the client in a high observation area.
- D. Administer a sedative as prescribed.
Answer: B. Assist the client back to bed and apply a bed alarm. — Assisting the client back to bed and using a bed alarm helps monitor the client’s movements and prevent falls without using restraints.
10. Which of the following is a National Patient Safety Goal related to infection prevention?
- A. Improve the accuracy of patient identification.
- B. Prevent infection by promoting hand hygiene. ✓
- C. Improve staff communication.
- D. Reduce the risk of patient harm from falls.
Answer: B. Prevent infection by promoting hand hygiene. — Promoting hand hygiene is a key National Patient Safety Goal aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections.
11. A client with neutropenia is admitted for chemotherapy. Which meal option should the nurse recommend to minimize infection risk?
- A. Fresh fruit salad and yogurt.
- B. Grilled chicken and cooked vegetables. ✓
- C. Sushi and miso soup.
- D. Caesar salad and garlic bread.
Answer: B. Grilled chicken and cooked vegetables. — Cooked foods reduce the risk of infection for neutropenic clients, as raw foods may harbor bacteria.
12. What is the primary purpose of using restraints in a healthcare setting?
- A. To discipline non-compliant patients.
- B. To prevent harm to the patient and others. ✓
- C. To ensure that patients remain in bed.
- D. To make it easier for healthcare staff to provide care.
Answer: B. To prevent harm to the patient and others. — Restraints are used to ensure safety by preventing patients from harming themselves or others, not for convenience or discipline.
13. A nurse finds a liquid spill on the floor of the hospital corridor. What is the best action to take?
- A. Place a caution sign near the spill.
- B. Call housekeeping to clean the spill.
- C. Cover the spill with a towel.
- D. Clean the spill immediately. ✓
Answer: D. Clean the spill immediately. — Cleaning the spill immediately prevents potential falls and ensures a safe environment for patients and staff.
14. Which action should a nurse take first when a fire alarm sounds on the unit?
- A. Ensure all clients are evacuated immediately.
- B. Close all doors and windows. ✓
- C. Locate the source of the fire.
- D. Activate the fire alarm system.
Answer: B. Close all doors and windows. — Closing doors and windows helps contain smoke and fire, protecting clients and staff until further evacuation instructions are given.
15. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which step is crucial to ensure asepsis during the procedure?
- A. Use clean gloves throughout the procedure.
- B. Apply sterile gloves after setting up the sterile field. ✓
- C. Cleanse the meatus with antiseptic solution.
- D. Position the client in the supine position.
Answer: B. Apply sterile gloves after setting up the sterile field. — Applying sterile gloves ensures that the procedure is performed under aseptic conditions, preventing infection.

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NCLEX Safety & Infection Control Practice Questions

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