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NCLEX PN Exam Bank Infection Control and
Standard Precautions for LPNs
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Hand Hygiene, Glove Use, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)............... 2
Subtopic 2: Transmission-Based Precautions (Airborne, Droplet, Contact) ........................ 9
Subtopic 3: Infection Prevention in Clinical Procedures and Invasive Devices (Catheters,
IVs, Wounds) .............................................................................................................. 16
Subtopic 4: Aseptic Technique and Sterile Field Maintenance ........................................ 23
Subtopic 5: Aseptic Techniques, Sterile Fields, and Contamination Prevention ................ 30
Subtopic 6: Environmental Hygiene and Equipment Disinfection in Infection Control ....... 38
Subtopic 7: Environmental Cleaning, Disinfection, and Equipment Handling................... 46
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Subtopic 1: Hand Hygiene, Glove Use, and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
1. A nurse is caring for a client in contact isolation. Which action demonstrates correct
glove use?
A. Donning gloves before entering the patient’s room and changing only if torn
B. Removing gloves before exiting the patient’s room
C. Washing hands with gloves still on after patient care
D. Using hand sanitizer over gloves between patient contacts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves should be removed before exiting the room to prevent the spread of
infectious organisms to the hallway or other areas.
2. Which scenario best demonstrates when an LPN should perform hand hygiene using
soap and water instead of alcohol-based sanitizer?
A. After removing clean gloves
B. Before assisting with feeding
C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
D. Before applying non-sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required after caring for patients with spore-forming
organisms like C. difficile because alcohol does not effectively kill spores.
3. What is the most appropriate PPE for the nurse to wear when suctioning a tracheostomy
in a patient with no transmission-based precautions?
A. Gloves, mask with face shield
B. Gown and gloves only
C. Gloves and N95 respirator
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D. No PPE required
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suctioning can create splashes or sprays; gloves and a face shield protect
mucous membranes and hands.
4. The nurse is preparing to enter a patient’s room for a wound dressing change. Which PPE
should the nurse apply first?
A. Gown
B. Gloves
C. Mask
D. Face shield
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PPE should be donned in a specific order: gown first to prevent contamination of
clothing during other applications.
5. After performing hand hygiene, the nurse accidentally touches the door handle before
entering an isolation room. What should the nurse do?
A. Proceed with care, the hands are still clean
B. Perform hand hygiene again
C. Put on gloves immediately
D. Wipe hands with sterile gauze
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Touching a potentially contaminated surface necessitates repeating hand
hygiene to prevent cross-contamination.
6. When removing PPE after contact isolation care, which step should the LPN take first?
A. Remove mask
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B. Remove goggles
C. Remove gloves
D. Remove gown
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated item and should be removed first
to reduce contamination risk.
7. An LPN is donning full PPE for airborne precautions. Which mask type should be
selected?
A. Surgical mask
B. Face shield
C. N95 respirator
D. Non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions to filter fine particles such
as TB or measles.
8. Which hand hygiene method is preferred before donning sterile gloves for a dressing
change?
A. Rinsing with warm water only
B. Handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizer
C. Cleaning with a tissue
D. Wearing double gloves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Either method is acceptable for clean procedures unless hands are visibly
soiled or caring for a patient with spore-forming organisms.
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Infection Control and
Standard Precautions for LPNs
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Hand Hygiene, Glove Use, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)............... 2
Subtopic 2: Transmission-Based Precautions (Airborne, Droplet, Contact) ........................ 9
Subtopic 3: Infection Prevention in Clinical Procedures and Invasive Devices (Catheters,
IVs, Wounds) .............................................................................................................. 16
Subtopic 4: Aseptic Technique and Sterile Field Maintenance ........................................ 23
Subtopic 5: Aseptic Techniques, Sterile Fields, and Contamination Prevention ................ 30
Subtopic 6: Environmental Hygiene and Equipment Disinfection in Infection Control ....... 38
Subtopic 7: Environmental Cleaning, Disinfection, and Equipment Handling................... 46
, 2
Subtopic 1: Hand Hygiene, Glove Use, and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
1. A nurse is caring for a client in contact isolation. Which action demonstrates correct
glove use?
A. Donning gloves before entering the patient’s room and changing only if torn
B. Removing gloves before exiting the patient’s room
C. Washing hands with gloves still on after patient care
D. Using hand sanitizer over gloves between patient contacts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves should be removed before exiting the room to prevent the spread of
infectious organisms to the hallway or other areas.
2. Which scenario best demonstrates when an LPN should perform hand hygiene using
soap and water instead of alcohol-based sanitizer?
A. After removing clean gloves
B. Before assisting with feeding
C. After contact with a patient with C. difficile
D. Before applying non-sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soap and water are required after caring for patients with spore-forming
organisms like C. difficile because alcohol does not effectively kill spores.
3. What is the most appropriate PPE for the nurse to wear when suctioning a tracheostomy
in a patient with no transmission-based precautions?
A. Gloves, mask with face shield
B. Gown and gloves only
C. Gloves and N95 respirator
, 3
D. No PPE required
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suctioning can create splashes or sprays; gloves and a face shield protect
mucous membranes and hands.
4. The nurse is preparing to enter a patient’s room for a wound dressing change. Which PPE
should the nurse apply first?
A. Gown
B. Gloves
C. Mask
D. Face shield
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PPE should be donned in a specific order: gown first to prevent contamination of
clothing during other applications.
5. After performing hand hygiene, the nurse accidentally touches the door handle before
entering an isolation room. What should the nurse do?
A. Proceed with care, the hands are still clean
B. Perform hand hygiene again
C. Put on gloves immediately
D. Wipe hands with sterile gauze
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Touching a potentially contaminated surface necessitates repeating hand
hygiene to prevent cross-contamination.
6. When removing PPE after contact isolation care, which step should the LPN take first?
A. Remove mask
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B. Remove goggles
C. Remove gloves
D. Remove gown
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated item and should be removed first
to reduce contamination risk.
7. An LPN is donning full PPE for airborne precautions. Which mask type should be
selected?
A. Surgical mask
B. Face shield
C. N95 respirator
D. Non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions to filter fine particles such
as TB or measles.
8. Which hand hygiene method is preferred before donning sterile gloves for a dressing
change?
A. Rinsing with warm water only
B. Handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizer
C. Cleaning with a tissue
D. Wearing double gloves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Either method is acceptable for clean procedures unless hands are visibly
soiled or caring for a patient with spore-forming organisms.
