Safety and Infection Control Practice Test for the NCLEX-RN Exam

When caring for a patient diagnosed viral hepatitis the healthcare provider experiences a needle stick from a contaminated needle which of the following action should the healthcare provider preform first? A. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water B. Report to the emergency department C. Put the needle in a biohazard bag for testing D. Make an appointment with infection control department

The correct answer is A

Which of these is the correct order of events a nurse should follow when applying personal protective equipment: A. Handwashing, gown, mask, eye protection, gloves B. Mask, I protection, handwashing, gloves, gown C. Gown, mask, I protection, handwashing, gloves D. Handwashing, gloves, gown, eye protection, mask

The correct answer is A

A nurse is counseling an 87-year-old female patient and her daughter. The patient is obese, has multiple medical problems, including dementia, and takes numerous medications. The patient is preparing to move in with her daughter for full-time care. Which of the following is least important for the nurse to discuss with the patient and her daughter. A. fire safety and prevention B. side effects of her medications C. proper ergonomics for lifting/assisting the patient in her activities of daily living D. fall prevention and safety

The correct answer is A While fire safety and prevention is certainly a worthwhile topic to discuss, given this patient's particular set of problems of obesity, polypharmacy, dementia, and advanced age, the other choices should take priority during the review of safety and accident prevention.

Several clients are admitted to an adult medical unit the nurse would ensure airborne precautions for a client with which of the following medical conditions? A. A positive PPD with an abnormal chest x-ray B. A diagnosis of aids and cytomegalovirus C. A tentative diagnosis of viral pneumoniaA tentative diagnosis of viral pneumonia D. Advanced carcinoma of the lungs

The correct answer is A we would be concerned about tuberculosis in this instance

A client with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is being treated with metronidazole for protozoal infection which instruction should be given to the client taking metronidazole? A. Take the medication in the morning for optimal absorption B. Do not take this medication and also drink alcoholic beverages C. Allow six weeks for medication to take affect D. Take the medication with an antacid to prevent nausea

The correct answer is B

The development of a new infection as a result of elimination of normal flora by an antibiotic is Referred to as what? A. Resistant infection B. Super infection C. Nosocomial infection D. Allergic reaction

The correct answer is B

A nurse has just completed a blood draw for a patient with unknown HIV status which of the following is the correct way to dispose of the needle? A. Break the needle then place it in a puncture resistant container far away from patient care areas B. Carefully read cap The needle and place it in the nearest puncture resistant container C. Place the needle in the nearest puncture resistant container D. Place the needle into a biohazard disposal container if there's not a puncture resistant one nearby

See recapping increases the risk of needle stick

A 24-year-old is admitted to a medical unit with a diagnosis of hepatitis A and placed in contact precautions what is the primary goal of this action? A. To prevent transmission of infectious microorganisms B. To control the environment of the patient C. To protect the patient from infectious microorganisms D. To protect only the family

The correct answer is A

A student nurse recalls the body has nonspecific defense systems to protect against infection which of the following is an example of the system? A. Saliva B. Antigens C. B lymphocytes D. T cells

The correct answer is A

What sign is an early indicator of infection and a client who is immune suppressed? A. A persistent sore throat B. Elevated temperature C. Elevated white blood cell Count D. Elevated creatinine levels

The correct answer is A

A nurse is preparing a bag of chemotherapy agent for one of the patients. The nurse accidentally pierces a hole through the bag while attempting to spike it. A moderate amount of chemotherapy spills onto the ground. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first? A. Call the pharmacy to have the chemotherapy redosed. B. Cordon off the area and notify housekeeping/facilities of the spill. C. Clean up the spill with wet paper towels. D. Continue to prime chemotherapy tubing.

The correct answer is B Chemotherapy is extremely caustic to any persons and environment it contacts. When chemotherapy spills occur, the nurse must immediately secure the area and notify the facility's designated personnel to have the area appropriately cleaned. The chemotherapy should never be cleaned with inappropriate tools such as paper towels or linens. Since the bag has been compromised, the nurse should no longer prime the tubing or administer the chemotherapy to the patient. The nurse will need to notify the pharmacy to have the chemotherapy redosed, but this is not the priority action.

The nurse is admitting a 70-year-old patient for a procedure. The patient has type I diabetes mellitus with significant peripheral neuropathy, atrial fibrillation controlled with antiarrhythmic medications, and osteoarthritis bilaterally in his knees. He is also on anticoagulants with an INR of 3.0. Given that the nurse knows about the individual risk factors that raise the risk of a fall, accident, or injury while hospitalized, which of the following should be identified as the most significant risk factor for this patient? A. anticoagulant therapy B. peripheral neuropathy C. bilateral knee osteoarthritis D. atrial fibrillation

The correct answer is B Sensory deficits such as sight, hearing, proprioception, and neuropathy can all raise the risk of a fall, accident, or injury in a hospitalized patient. These factors should be noted at the time of admission and factored into the care plan to protect the patient during his or her time under medical care. Osteoarthritis may limit the patient's mobility. This should be discussed upon admission. Atrial fibrillation that is not controlled can increase the risk of stroke, but this patient is controlled with antiarrhythmic medications. Anticoagulant therapy doesn't raise the risk of a fall, accident, or injury, but it is an important part of the medical history, given that the patient is being admitted for a procedure.

The nurse is working in a clinical medical area with a census of 15 each patient has a different illness when planning care the nurse recognizes which of the following as the most important action to provide provection to each patient from healthcare associated infections? A. Wearing a gown B. Placing each patient in isolation C. Hand hygiene D. Wearing gloves

The correct answer is C

nurse is volunteering in an indigent clinic. She is seeing a patient whom she suspects has active tuberculosis. In this disease process, which of the following body systems serves as both the reservoir and portal of entry for this infection? A. the hematologic system B. the gastrointestinal system C. the respiratory system D. the integumentary system

The correct answer is C Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that mainly infects the respiratory system caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread via inhalation of droplets that contain the bacteria that are released during coughing, sneezing, etc. There are two forms of TB: latent and active. Patients are contagious only during an active TB infection, and they usually feel sick during this time. Those with latent infection are not infectious and do not feel ill. The respiratory system is where this organism best grows and reproduces (a reservoir) and how one becomes infected with the organism via inhalation (portal of entry).

A microbe acquires anabiotic resistance by which means? A. Development of medication resistance in the host B. Overriding of the minimum bactericidal concentration C. Incorrect dosing which contributes to ribosome mutations D. Transfer of DNA coding to other bacteria

The correct answer is D

The client with genital herpes is seen in the clinic with an active lesion the nurse should anticipate in order for: A. Pyrazinamide B. Isoniazid C. Ciprofloxacin D. Acyclovir

The correct answer is D

The nursing instructor is discussing the chain of infection to a group of student nurses what is the most important information about identifying the chain of infection for the healthcare provider? A. Understanding of the chain of infection allows for test to be performed to assess resistance to communicable diseases B. Recognition of the chain of infection provides information about which patient will most benefit from isolation precautions c. The need for antibiotic therapy can be determined by assessing the chain of infection D. Determination of points at which the infection can be stopped or prevented can be made by identifying the chain of infection

The correct answer is D

The client with clostridium difficile is admitted to the unit to prevent the transmission of Clostridium different seal to the immune suppressed patient the nurse should use: A. Airborne precautions B. Droplet precautions C. Sputum precautions D. Modified contact precautions

The correct answer is D no hand sanitizer or alcohol will kill wash hands with soap and water

Select appropriate personal protective equipment that will be applied prior to entering a room for a patient with influenza A. Gloves B. Mask C. Gown D. Goggles E. Respirator F. A, B, C, D, E G. A, B, C H. A, C, E I. A, C

The correct answer is G, influenza spread by droplets not airborne so we need a mask but not a respirator

The most important instructions a nurse can give a patient regarding the use of antibiotic ampicillin prescribed for her are two? A. Call the physician if she has any breathing difficulties B. Take it with meals so it does not cause an upset stomach C. Take all of the medication prescribed even if symptoms stop sooner D. Not to share pills with anyone else

The correct answer is letter A and C It's important since this medication is related to penicillin but they would want to go to the ER not call the doctors office see because all antibiotics we want people to finish their course

The nurse at a family practice is responsible for reviewing home safety issues with all patients. She knows that there is an increased risk of falls in which of these two groups of patients? A. infants and the elderly B. infants and toddlers C. the elderly and school-age children D. toddlers and the elderly

the answer is A Infants and the elderly both have increased risk of falls. Nurses should educate the parents and/or caregivers of infants about safe places for sleep and play to prevent a fall. In the elderly, nurses must consider age-related factors, both physical and cognitive that can increase the risk of falling. Note: Even though toddlers (ages 1-4) are more mobile than infants (ages 0-1), statistics show that infants are more susceptible to falling. This may be due to being left in unsafe places (on changing tables, beds, grocery carts, etc.) and the lack of knowledge of and experience with space and their bodies.

A nurse on the medical/surgical floor is caring for an elderly, postoperative patient with dementia who is in restraints because she refuses to stay in bed or keep her IVs in. The nurse knows that she will have to provide range of motion exercises and ask if the patient needs to use the restroom how often? A. every 8 hours B. every 6 hours C. every 2 hours D. every 4 hours

the correct answer is C For this patient, the use of restraints is necessary to prevent injury during a fall and to help the patient recuperate from surgery. In addition to frequent monitoring to ensure correct placement of the restraints and the need for continued use, the nurse needs to provide bathroom opportunities and range of motion exercises every 2 hours.

A nurse is working with a patient who has a contagious condition. In recalling the chain of infection, the nurse knows that an environment favorable for the growth and reproduction of an infectious agent is referred to as ____. A. a vector B. a portal of entry C. a reservoir D. a susceptible host

the correct answer is C The chain of infection has six elements: a pathogen which is an infectious agent a reservoir which is any environment that is favorable for the growth and reproduction of an infectious agent a portal of exit which is a place where an infectious agent gets out of a host a method of transmission which is the way an infectious organism is transferred from a reservoir to a host a portal of entry which is the place where an infectious agent enters a host a susceptible host which is a person who is at risk for infection A vector is an object which can spread an infection via indirect contact. It is one of the three possible methods of transmission.

A nurse in the emergency room is taking care of a 4-year-old patient who has a suspected case of impetigo. The nurse knows that which of the following precautions is most important to prevent the spread of this infection? A. standard precautions B. droplet precautions C. airborne precautions D. contact precautions

the correct answer is D Impetigo is an infectious skin condition that is spread via skin to hand contact or indirect contact of the skin and other surfaces. Contact precautions are, therefore, necessary to limit the spread of this skin infection.