1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?

a. A patient with Clostridium difficile in droplet precautions

b. A patient with tuberculosis in airborne precautions

c. A patient with MRSA infection in contact precautions

d. A patient with a lung transplant in protective environment precautions

ANS: A

A patient with Clostridium difficile should be on contact precautions, not droplet; therefore, the nurse will

see this patient first to correct the precautions. All the rest are on correct precautions. Patients with

tuberculosis belong in airborne precautions; patients with MRSA infection belong in contact precautions;

and patients with lung transplants belong in protective environment precautions.

2. The home health nurse is teaching a patient and family about hand hygiene in the home. Which

situation will cause the nurse to emphasize washing hands before and after?

a. Shaking hands

b. Performing treatments

c. Opening the refrigerator

d. Working on a computer

ANS: B

Patients and family members should perform hand hygiene before and after treatments and when

coming in contact with body fluids. Shaking hands does not require washing of hands before and

after. Washing hands before and after opening the refrigerator and using the computer is not required.

3. The surgical mask the perioperative nurse is wearing becomes moist. Which action will the

perioperative nurse take next?

a. Apply a new mask.

b. Reapply the mask after it air-dries.

c. Change the mask when relieved by next shift.

d. Do not change the mask if the nurse is comfortable.

ANS: A

After the mask is worn for several hours, it can become moist. The mask should be changed as soon as

possible because moisture does not provide a barrier to microorganisms and is ineffective. Waiting to

change the mask, air-drying it, or wearing it because it is comfortable does not support the principles of

infection control.

4. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to

prevent the spread of disease?

a. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.

Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the

b. patient.

Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology

c. department.

Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used

d. for that patient only