Practice Quiz Answers
Unit 2
Question 1
A nursing assistant is learning how to use protective equipment when caring for a client in
isolation. The nursing assistant is instructed in the correct sequence for putting on the protective
equipment that is to:
A) Wash her hands, apply the mask and eyewear, put on the gown, and then apply gloves
B) Apply the mask and eyewear, put on the gown, wash her hands, and then apply gloves
C) Wash her hands, put on the gown, apply the mask and eyewear, then apply the gloves
D) Put on the gown, apply the mask and eyewear, wash her hands, and then apply gloves
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The correct sequence for putting on protective equipment is to perform hand
hygiene, apply gown, apply mask and eyewear, and then apply gloves.
A. This is not the correct sequence for putting on protective equipment.
B. This is not the correct sequence for putting on protective equipment.
D. This is not the correct sequence for putting on protective equipment.
Question 2
While working with clients in the postoperative period, the nurse is very alert to the results of
laboratory tests. Which one of the following results is indicative of an infectious process?
A) Low iron
B) Low sodium levels
C) Elevated white Blood Cells (WBC)
D) Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: An elevated WBC is indicative of an acute infection.
A. Low iron levels will not affect the infectious process.
B. Low sodium levels will not affect the infectious process.
D. Elevated ESR levels will not affect the infectious process. It is a sign of the inflammatory
response.
Question 3
An example of a nursing intervention that is implemented to reduce a reservoir of infection for a
client is:
A) Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing.
B) Wearing disposable gloves.
C) Isolating client's articles.
D) Changing soiled dressings.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: To control or eliminate reservoir sites for infection, the nurse eliminates or controls
sources of body fluids, drainage, or solutions that might harbor microorganisms. The nurse also
carefully discards articles that become contaminated with infectious material such as in changing
soiled dressings.
A. Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing is an intervention to control a portal of exit.
B. Wearing disposable gloves helps protect the susceptible host.
C. Isolating client's articles is an intervention to control the mode of transmission.
Question 4
A client is found to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). An appropriate
isolation procedure for the nurse to implement when working with this client is to:
A) Leave all linen in the client's room
B) Place specimen containers in plastic bags for transport
C) Wipe the stethoscope before removing it from the room
D) Remove the mask and goggles first when leaving the client's room
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Specimen containers should be placed in plastic bags for transport with a label on
the outside of the bag.
A. Linen should be placed in an impervious linen bag and may be removed from the client's room.
Bags should be tied securely at the top with a knot.
C. For the person infected with MRSA, equipment remains in the room. After discharge or with
the discontinuation of isolation, client care equipment is properly cleaned and reprocessed, and
single-use items are discarded.
D. Gloves should be removed first when leaving the client’s room.
Question 5
A client is found to have a bacterial infection of Escherichia coli (E.coli). The nurse, recognizing
the effects of these bacteria, anticipates that the client will demonstrate:
A) Diarrhea
B) Coughing
C) Cold sores around the mouth
D) Discharge from the eyes
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Escherichia coli causes gastroenteritis and urinary tract infections. The client with
E. coli infection is likely to demonstrate diarrhea.
B. E. coli is found in the colon, not the respiratory tract.
C. Cold sores are seen with herpes simplex virus (type I), not with E. coli.
D. Discharge from the eyes is not seen with E. coli infection. It may be seen with Neisseria
gonorrhea.
Question 6
The client has a large, deep abdominal incision that requires a dressing. The incision is packed
with sterile half-inch packing and covered with a dry 4 x 4 inch gauze. When changing the
dressing, the nurse accidentally drops the packing onto the client’s abdomen. The nurse should:
A) Add alcohol to the packing and insert it into the incision
B) Throw the packing away, and prepare a new one
C) Pick up the packing with sterile forceps, and gently place it into the incision
D) Rinse the packing with sterile water, and put the packing into the incision with sterile gloves
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A sterile object (the packing) remains sterile only when touched by another sterile
object. The client’s abdomen is not sterile; therefore the nurse should throw the packing away
and prepare a new one.
A. The nurse should not add alcohol to the packing and insert it into the incision.
C. The packing is considered contaminated, as it touched a nonsterile surface, and therefore
should be discarded.
D. The nurse should not rinse the packing with sterile water and put the packing into the incision,
as it is considered contaminated. It touched a nonsterile surface. The nurse should throw the
packing away and prepare a new one.
Question 7
A client with active tuberculosis is admitted to the medical center. The nurse recognizes that
admission of this client to the unit will require the implementation by the staff of:
A) Airborne precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Contact precautions
D) Reverse isolation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A client with active tuberculosis requires airborne precautions.
B. A client with active tuberculosis does not require droplet precautions, as the droplet nuclei of
tuberculosis are smaller than 5 microns.
C. Contact precautions are not necessary for the client with active tuberculosis.
D. Reverse isolation is not required for the client with active tuberculosis.
Question 8
The parent of a preschool child asks the nurse how chickenpox (varicella zoster) is transmitted.
The nurse identifies that the virus is:
A) Carried by a vector organism
B) Airborne transmission or contact with vesicle fluid
C) Transmitted through fecal-oral route
D) Acquired through contact with contaminated objects
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) is transmitted via airborne route and carried
through the air after sneezing or coughing. It can also be transmitted by contact with the fluid from
the vesciles.
A. Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) is not transmitted by a vector.
C. Fecal-oral route is not responsible for varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) transmission.
D. The transmission of varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) does not occur by contact with
contaminated objects.
Question 9
The nurse recognizes that special care must be taken in the handling of which of the following to
prevent the transmission of hepatitis A?
A) Blood
B) Feces
C) Saliva
D) Vaginal secretions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: To prevent the transmission of hepatitis A, the nurse must take special care when
handling feces.
A. Hepatitis B and C may be found in blood.
C. Hepatitis A is not found in saliva.
D. Hepatitis A is not found in vaginal secretions.
Question 10
The nurse recognizes the appropriate procedures for sterile asepsis. Of the following, which
action is consistent with sterile asepsis?
A) Clean forceps may be used to move items on the sterile field.
B) Sterile fields may be prepared well in advance of the procedures.
C) The first small amount of sterile solution should be poured and discarded.
D) Wrapped sterile packages should be opened starting with the flap closest to the nurse.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Before pouring the solution into the container, the nurse pours a small amount (1 to
2 ml) into a plastic-lined waste receptacle. The discarded solution cleans the lip of the bottle. This
action is consistent with sterile asepsis.
A. Sterile forceps should be used to move items on a sterile field when using sterile asepsis.
B. Sterile fields should not be prepared well in advance of a sterile procedure. A sterile object or
field becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air.
D. Wrapped sterile packages should be opened starting with the flap farthest away from the nurse
(i.e., the top flap).
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