NCLEX Safety and Infection Control Questions Answers [Rationale]

Last Updated on July 4, 2024

NCLEX Safety and Infection Control Questions Answers [with Rationale]. Free practice tests for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams. You can download the Safe and Effective Care Environment – Safety and Infection Control test in PDF format. Our 25 NCLEX Safety and Infection Control questions and answers are for Registered Nurses (RN) and Practical Nurses (PN) exams.

Topics Safe and Effective Care Environment –

Safety and Infection Control These questions address creating a nonhazardous environment for healthcare workers and clients. Prepare to demonstrate your knowledge of safe equipment use, proper handling of infectious and hazardous materials, appropriate reporting of accidents or irregular incidents, preventing injuries, ergonomic principles, standard precautions to avoid surgical asepsis, adequate use of restraints and safety devices, and more. Expect questions on implementing emergency response plans and security plans.

NCLEX Safety and Infection Control Questions Answers

Q1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique is essential to prevent infection?

(A) Using non-sterile gloves
(B) Cleaning the perineal area with soap and water
(C) Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure
(D) Using alcohol-based hand rub before the procedure

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure is essential to prevent introducing pathogens into the urinary tract.

Q2. A nurse is disposing of a used needle. What is the proper way to dispose of it?

(A) Recapping the needle before disposal
(B) Placing the needle directly into a sharps container
(C) Bending the needle before disposal
(D) Wrapping the needle in gauze before disposal

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Needles should be placed directly into a sharps container to prevent needle-stick injuries and ensure safe disposal.

Q3. A client is in isolation due to a highly infectious disease. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

(A) Wearing a mask only when entering the client’s room
(B) Using the same gloves for multiple tasks with the client
(C) Disposing of personal protective equipment (PPE) before leaving the room
(D) Avoiding hand hygiene to prevent skin irritation

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Disposing of PPE before leaving the room prevents the spread of infectious agents to other areas.

Q4. A nurse is using a mechanical lift to transfer a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which principle should the nurse follow?

(A) Using the lift only when a second nurse is available
(B) Ensuring the client’s arms are free during the transfer
(C) Keeping the lift in the lowest position during the transfer
(D) Operating the lift without reading the manufacturer’s instructions

View Answer

Answer: (A)
Rationale: Using the lift only when a second nurse is available ensures the transfer is safe for both the client and the nurse.

Q5. A nurse is teaching a client about preventing infection. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

(A) “I will wash my hands before eating.”
(B) “I can reuse disposable gloves if I wash them.”
(C) “I should cover my mouth when I cough.”
(D) “I will avoid touching my face with unwashed hands.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Disposable gloves should not be reused, even if washed, as this can lead to the spread of infection.

Q6. What is the most important reason for the nurse to implement proper body mechanics when lifting clients?

(A) To improve the nurse’s physical fitness
(B) To prevent injury to the nurse and the client
(C) To ensure the client feels comfortable
(D) To complete tasks more quickly

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Proper body mechanics help prevent injury to both the nurse and the client during lifting and transferring activities.

Q7. A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical wound. Which intervention is most effective in preventing infection?

(A) Changing the dressing only when it is saturated
(B) Using clean gloves for dressing changes
(C) Maintaining a sterile field during dressing changes
(D) Allowing the wound to be exposed to air at all times

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Maintaining a sterile field during dressing changes is crucial in preventing infection in surgical wounds.

Q8. A client requires the use of restraints. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

(A) Applying the restraints without informing the client
(B) Checking the client’s circulation every 4 hours
(C) Securing the restraints to the bed frame
(D) Using restraints as the first measure to control behavior

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Restraints should be secured to the bed frame to prevent injury and ensure the client’s safety. Restraints should be checked more frequently than every 4 hours.

Q9. A nurse is conducting an in-service on infection control. Which point should be emphasized to prevent the spread of infection?

(A) Wearing gloves for all client interactions
(B) Using hand sanitizer only when hands are visibly soiled
(C) Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
(D) Using sterile gloves for all procedures

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.

Q10. A nurse is setting up a sterile field. Which action contaminates the sterile field?

(A) Opening the sterile package away from the body
(B) Placing the sterile field at waist level
(C) Reaching over the sterile field to retrieve an item
(D) Using sterile gloves to arrange items on the field

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Reaching over the sterile field can introduce contaminants and should be avoided to maintain sterility.

Q11. Which statement by a nurse indicates the need for further education on handling hazardous materials?

(A) “I will store chemicals in their original containers.”
(B) “I can mix chemicals if they are labeled safe.”
(C) “I will use PPE when handling hazardous materials.”
(D) “I should follow the Safety Data Sheets for each chemical.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Mixing chemicals can be dangerous and should only be done according to specific guidelines; thus, this statement indicates a need for further education.

Q12. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client’s room. What is the nurse’s first action?

(A) Extinguish the fire
(B) Rescue the client from immediate danger
(C) Activate the fire alarm
(D) Close the doors and windows

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: The first step in the RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) protocol is to rescue the client from immediate danger.

Q13. Which practice is most effective in preventing needle-stick injuries?

(A) Recapping needles after use
(B) Disposing of needles in a sharps container immediately after use
(C) Breaking needles before disposal
(D) Placing needles on a tray for later disposal

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Disposing of needles in a sharps container immediately after use is the most effective way to prevent needle-stick injuries.

Q14. A nurse is teaching clients about preventing falls at home. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

(A) “Use scatter rugs in your living room.”
(B) “Install grab bars in the bathroom.”
(C) “Keep your home dimly lit.”
(D) “Wear loose-fitting slippers.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Installing grab bars in the bathroom can help prevent falls by providing support.

Q15. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. What is the best way to identify the client?

(A) Ask the client to state their name
(B) Check the client’s room number
(C) Look at the client’s armband and verify it with their chart
(D) Ask a family member to confirm the client’s identity

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Looking at the client’s armband and verifying it with their chart is the best way to ensure correct identification and prevent medication errors.

Q16. A nurse is caring for a client with a communicable disease. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required?

(A) Mask, gloves, and gown
(B) Goggles only
(C) Gloves only
(D) Gown and goggles

View Answer

Answer: (A)
Rationale: Using a mask, gloves, and gown provides comprehensive protection against communicable diseases.

Q17. Which ergonomic principle should a nurse follow to prevent back injury when lifting a client?

(A) Bending at the waist
(B) Keeping the back straight and using the legs to lift
(C) Holding the client away from the body
(D) Twisting the torso while lifting

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Keeping the back straight and using the legs to lift utilizes the strongest muscles and reduces the risk of back injury.

Q18. Which client should the nurse prioritize for care during a mass casualty event?

(A) A client with a minor laceration
(B) A client with a fractured arm
(C) A client with a head injury and altered level of consciousness
(D) A client with a sprained ankle

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: A client with a head injury and altered level of consciousness is at higher risk for serious complications and should be prioritized for care.

Q19. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which item should be removed last when leaving the client’s room?

(A) Gloves
(B) Gown
(C) Mask
(D) Goggles

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: The mask should be removed last to prevent the inhalation of airborne contaminants.

Q20. A nurse finds a medication error in a client’s chart. What is the nurse’s best action?

(A) Correct the error without documenting it
(B) Report the error according to facility policy
(C) Ignore the error if there are no adverse effects
(D) Blame the previous nurse for the error

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Reporting the error according to facility policy ensures it is documented and addressed appropriately to prevent future occurrences.

Q21. What is the primary reason for using standard precautions with all clients?

(A) To reduce the need for PPE
(B) To prevent the spread of infectious diseases
(C) To save time during client care
(D) To ensure client comfort

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Using standard precautions with all clients helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Q22. Which action is appropriate for a nurse to take when a client has a seizure?

(A) Restrain the client’s movements
(B) Place a tongue depressor in the client’s mouth
(C) Protect the client from injury
(D) Leave the client to call for help

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Protecting the client from injury is the priority during a seizure.

Q23. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about hand hygiene. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?

(A) “I should wash my hands before and after eating.”
(B) “Hand sanitizer is an effective substitute when my hands are visibly dirty.”
(C) “I need to wash my hands after using the restroom.”
(D) “I should wash my hands after coughing or sneezing.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Hand sanitizer is not effective when hands are visibly dirty; handwashing with soap and water is required.

Q24. A nurse is preparing to use a fire extinguisher. What is the correct order of steps using the PASS method?

(A) Aim, Pull, Squeeze, Sweep
(B) Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
(C) Squeeze, Aim, Pull, Sweep
(D) Sweep, Pull, Aim, Squeeze

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: The PASS method stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep, which is the correct order for using a fire extinguisher.

Q25. A nurse is performing a dressing change on a client with a pressure ulcer. Which action best prevents infection?

(A) Using clean gloves
(B) Applying the dressing quickly
(C) Using sterile technique
(D) Reusing the same dressing if it appears clean

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Using sterile technique best prevents infection during dressing changes on pressure ulcers.

See also:

Free NCLEX Practice Test with Study Guide [UPDATED 2024-25]

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Health Promotion and Maintenance Questions

Psychosocial Integrity