NU 301 Unit 3 Exam – Fundamentals of Nursing – 2026 NCLEX Style Questions.
Infection Control & Safety (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which action
demonstrates proper surgical aseptic technique?
A. Wearing sterile gloves only
B. Using sterile drapes and maintaining a sterile field
C. Cleaning the site with alcohol in a circular motion from the outside in
D. Opening sterile supplies before donning sterile gloves
Answer: B. Using sterile drapes and maintaining a sterile field
Rationale: Surgical aseptic technique (sterile technique) requires a sterile field,
sterile drapes, and sterile gloves. Cleaning should be from the inside out. Supplies
should be opened after donning sterile gloves to maintain sterility.
2. A client with tuberculosis is placed on airborne precautions. Which PPE is
essential when entering the room?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator and gloves
C. Gown and goggles
D. Surgical mask and gown
,Answer: B. N95 respirator and gloves
Rationale: Airborne precautions (TB, measles, varicella) require an N95 respirator.
Gloves are always worn if contact with body fluids is possible.
3. The nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which hand hygiene
method is correct?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Soap and water for at least 15 seconds
C. Soap and water because alcohol does not kill C. diff spores
D. Hand sanitizer followed by soap and water
Answer: C. Soap and water because alcohol does not kill C. diff spores
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs do not destroy C. diff spores. Soap and water
with friction are required.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client who is pulling at their IV line.
Which action is most important?
A. Tie restraints to the side rail
B. Document the client’s behavior every 2 hours
,C. Obtain a written provider’s order within 24 hours
D. Ensure two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client’s wrist
Answer: D. Ensure two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client’s wrist
Rationale: Proper fit prevents circulatory/nerve damage. Restraints require an
order before application in non-emergencies (or within 1 hour for emergencies),
never tie to side rails, and document q1-2h.
5. A client on contact precautions needs to go to radiology. What should the
nurse do?
A. Transport without covering the client
B. Have the client wear a surgical mask
C. Place a clean sheet over the client and notify radiology
D. Cancel the test until precautions are discontinued
Answer: C. Place a clean sheet over the client and notify radiology
Rationale: Cover infected areas and notify receiving department so they can take
precautions. Mask is not needed for contact precautions alone.
6. Which client requires protective (reverse) isolation?
, A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant
C. Client with MRSA wound infection
D. Client with rotavirus
Answer: B. Client undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant
Rationale: Neutropenic clients need protection from outside pathogens. Others
require source isolation.
7. The nurse observes a colleague wash hands for 5 seconds after removing
gloves. What should the nurse do?
A. Ignore it because gloves provide protection
B. Remind the colleague to wash for at least 20 seconds
C. Report to the nurse manager immediately
D. Ask the colleague to apply hand sanitizer instead
Answer: B. Remind the colleague to wash for at least 20 seconds
Rationale: CDC recommends washing with soap and water for 20 seconds. Gloves
are not perfect; hand hygiene after glove removal is mandatory.
Infection Control & Safety (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which action
demonstrates proper surgical aseptic technique?
A. Wearing sterile gloves only
B. Using sterile drapes and maintaining a sterile field
C. Cleaning the site with alcohol in a circular motion from the outside in
D. Opening sterile supplies before donning sterile gloves
Answer: B. Using sterile drapes and maintaining a sterile field
Rationale: Surgical aseptic technique (sterile technique) requires a sterile field,
sterile drapes, and sterile gloves. Cleaning should be from the inside out. Supplies
should be opened after donning sterile gloves to maintain sterility.
2. A client with tuberculosis is placed on airborne precautions. Which PPE is
essential when entering the room?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator and gloves
C. Gown and goggles
D. Surgical mask and gown
,Answer: B. N95 respirator and gloves
Rationale: Airborne precautions (TB, measles, varicella) require an N95 respirator.
Gloves are always worn if contact with body fluids is possible.
3. The nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which hand hygiene
method is correct?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub only
B. Soap and water for at least 15 seconds
C. Soap and water because alcohol does not kill C. diff spores
D. Hand sanitizer followed by soap and water
Answer: C. Soap and water because alcohol does not kill C. diff spores
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs do not destroy C. diff spores. Soap and water
with friction are required.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client who is pulling at their IV line.
Which action is most important?
A. Tie restraints to the side rail
B. Document the client’s behavior every 2 hours
,C. Obtain a written provider’s order within 24 hours
D. Ensure two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client’s wrist
Answer: D. Ensure two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client’s wrist
Rationale: Proper fit prevents circulatory/nerve damage. Restraints require an
order before application in non-emergencies (or within 1 hour for emergencies),
never tie to side rails, and document q1-2h.
5. A client on contact precautions needs to go to radiology. What should the
nurse do?
A. Transport without covering the client
B. Have the client wear a surgical mask
C. Place a clean sheet over the client and notify radiology
D. Cancel the test until precautions are discontinued
Answer: C. Place a clean sheet over the client and notify radiology
Rationale: Cover infected areas and notify receiving department so they can take
precautions. Mask is not needed for contact precautions alone.
6. Which client requires protective (reverse) isolation?
, A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant
C. Client with MRSA wound infection
D. Client with rotavirus
Answer: B. Client undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant
Rationale: Neutropenic clients need protection from outside pathogens. Others
require source isolation.
7. The nurse observes a colleague wash hands for 5 seconds after removing
gloves. What should the nurse do?
A. Ignore it because gloves provide protection
B. Remind the colleague to wash for at least 20 seconds
C. Report to the nurse manager immediately
D. Ask the colleague to apply hand sanitizer instead
Answer: B. Remind the colleague to wash for at least 20 seconds
Rationale: CDC recommends washing with soap and water for 20 seconds. Gloves
are not perfect; hand hygiene after glove removal is mandatory.
