NURS 120 Infection Control & Sepsis Final Exam (2026/2027 Update)
|WCU
1. A patient is admitted with suspected sepsis. Which intervention from the
Sepsis 1-Hour Bundle should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Obtain blood cultures
C. Administer 30 mL/kg crystalloid for hypotension
D. Measure lactate level
Answer: D
Rationale: The 1-hour bundle recommends measuring lactate level first to establish a
baseline for tissue perfusion, although blood cultures and antibiotics follow immediately.
2. Which of the following represents a ‘left shift’ in a White Blood Cell (WBC)
differential during an acute bacterial infection?
A. Increased eosinophils
B. Increased bands (immature neutrophils)
C. Decreased monocytes
D. Increased lymphocytes
Answer: B
Rationale: A ‘left shift’ indicates that the bone marrow is releasing immature neutrophils
(bands) to fight an active, severe infection.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile. Which hand
hygiene practice is mandatory?
A. Washing with soap and water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
C. Wearing double gloves only
D. Using chlorhexidine wipes
Answer: A
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol; mechanical friction with soap and water is
required to remove them from hands.
4. What is the primary physiological mechanism of septic shock that
differentiates it from sepsis?
A. Widespread inflammatory response
B. Presence of a known pathogen in the blood
C. Temperature greater than 101°F
D. Refractory hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: Septic shock is characterized by circulatory and cellular/metabolic
abnormalities, specifically persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and a lactate >2
mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation.
5. A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a patient with active Pulmonary
Tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?
A. N95 respirator and negative pressure room
B. Surgical mask and gloves
C. Gown, gloves, and face shield
D. Simple face mask and goggles
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include a fit-tested N95
respirator and a negative pressure room (AIIR).
6. In the Chain of Infection, a contaminated stethoscope functions as which link?
A. Reservoir
B. Mode of transmission
C. Portal of entry
D. Susceptible host
Answer: B
Rationale: An inanimate object (fomite) like a stethoscope that carries pathogens from one
person to another is a mode of transmission.
7. A patient meets SIRS criteria if they exhibit which of the following
combinations?
A. HR 80, RR 18, Temp 98.6
B. HR 60, RR 12, Temp 97.0
C. BP 90/60, Glucose 110, WBC 8,000
D. HR 102, RR 24, Temp 101.4
Answer: D
Rationale: SIRS criteria include Temp >38C (100.4F) or <36C, HR >90, RR >20 or PaCO2
<32, and WBC >12,000 or <4,000.
8. Which lab value is most indicative of the ‘Sepsis-3’ definition focusing on
organ dysfunction?
A. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) of 20
B. Total WBC count of 15,000
C. Decreasing C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
D. Increasing Creatinine level
Answer: D
|WCU
1. A patient is admitted with suspected sepsis. Which intervention from the
Sepsis 1-Hour Bundle should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Obtain blood cultures
C. Administer 30 mL/kg crystalloid for hypotension
D. Measure lactate level
Answer: D
Rationale: The 1-hour bundle recommends measuring lactate level first to establish a
baseline for tissue perfusion, although blood cultures and antibiotics follow immediately.
2. Which of the following represents a ‘left shift’ in a White Blood Cell (WBC)
differential during an acute bacterial infection?
A. Increased eosinophils
B. Increased bands (immature neutrophils)
C. Decreased monocytes
D. Increased lymphocytes
Answer: B
Rationale: A ‘left shift’ indicates that the bone marrow is releasing immature neutrophils
(bands) to fight an active, severe infection.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile. Which hand
hygiene practice is mandatory?
A. Washing with soap and water
B. Alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds
C. Wearing double gloves only
D. Using chlorhexidine wipes
Answer: A
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol; mechanical friction with soap and water is
required to remove them from hands.
4. What is the primary physiological mechanism of septic shock that
differentiates it from sepsis?
A. Widespread inflammatory response
B. Presence of a known pathogen in the blood
C. Temperature greater than 101°F
D. Refractory hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: Septic shock is characterized by circulatory and cellular/metabolic
abnormalities, specifically persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and a lactate >2
mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation.
5. A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a patient with active Pulmonary
Tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?
A. N95 respirator and negative pressure room
B. Surgical mask and gloves
C. Gown, gloves, and face shield
D. Simple face mask and goggles
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, which include a fit-tested N95
respirator and a negative pressure room (AIIR).
6. In the Chain of Infection, a contaminated stethoscope functions as which link?
A. Reservoir
B. Mode of transmission
C. Portal of entry
D. Susceptible host
Answer: B
Rationale: An inanimate object (fomite) like a stethoscope that carries pathogens from one
person to another is a mode of transmission.
7. A patient meets SIRS criteria if they exhibit which of the following
combinations?
A. HR 80, RR 18, Temp 98.6
B. HR 60, RR 12, Temp 97.0
C. BP 90/60, Glucose 110, WBC 8,000
D. HR 102, RR 24, Temp 101.4
Answer: D
Rationale: SIRS criteria include Temp >38C (100.4F) or <36C, HR >90, RR >20 or PaCO2
<32, and WBC >12,000 or <4,000.
8. Which lab value is most indicative of the ‘Sepsis-3’ definition focusing on
organ dysfunction?
A. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) of 20
B. Total WBC count of 15,000
C. Decreasing C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
D. Increasing Creatinine level
Answer: D
