All Free Fundamentals of Nursing MCQs with Answers

Every Fundamentals of Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

500 questions · page 11 of 25

  • A. Portal of entry
  • B. Portal of exit
  • C. Mode of transmission
  • D. Susceptible host

Explanation: A portal of exit is the route through which organisms leave the reservoir, such as the respiratory tract, blood, or faeces.

Correct answer: Portal of exit
  • A. Using sterile gloves for wound suturing
  • B. Keeping a sterile catheter tip untouched
  • C. Cleaning a blood pressure cuff between patients
  • D. Opening a sterile dressing without touching it

Explanation: Medical asepsis reduces the number and spread of microorganisms, such as by cleaning shared equipment.

Correct answer: Cleaning a blood pressure cuff between patients
  • A. Keeping sterile items above waist level
  • B. Placing sterile supplies on the bedside table
  • C. Touching the sterile catheter with clean gloves
  • D. Reaching across the sterile field for gauze

Explanation: Sterile items should remain above waist level and within the nurse's view.

Correct answer: Keeping sterile items above waist level
  • A. Apply alcohol hand rub for 10 seconds
  • B. Wash with soap and running water
  • C. Wipe both hands with a dry towel
  • D. Put on gloves without cleaning the hands

Explanation: Hands visibly soiled with blood require washing with soap and running water because hand rub does not remove visible material effectively.

Correct answer: Wash with soap and running water
Moderate
  • A. Wear a fit-tested N95 respirator
  • B. Wear a simple surgical mask only
  • C. Use a gown and gloves for every contact
  • D. Place the patient in a positive-pressure room

Explanation: Pulmonary tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a fit-tested N95 or equivalent respirator and appropriate airborne…

Correct answer: Wear a fit-tested N95 respirator
Moderate
  • A. Use alcohol hand rub after removing gloves
  • B. Wash with soap and running water
  • C. Rinse hands briefly with cold water
  • D. Clean hands only if stool is visible

Explanation: Soap and running water are recommended after caring for a patient with C.

Correct answer: Wash with soap and running water
  • A. Wiping with a detergent solution
  • B. Soaking in a low-level disinfectant
  • C. Processing in a steam autoclave
  • D. Rinsing with sterile normal saline

Explanation: A steam autoclave uses pressurised moist heat to sterilise suitable heat-resistant equipment, including destruction of spores.

Correct answer: Processing in a steam autoclave
  • A. Disinfection destroys all spores on equipment
  • B. Sterilisation is used only for hospital floors
  • C. Disinfection reduces pathogens on objects
  • D. Sterilisation means washing with clean water

Explanation: Disinfection reduces or destroys many pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects, but it may not destroy bacterial spores.

Correct answer: Disinfection reduces pathogens on objects
  • A. Recap it with both hands carefully
  • B. Bend it before placing it in waste
  • C. Place it directly in a sharps container
  • D. Break it and discard it in general waste

Explanation: The needle should be placed immediately into a puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping, bending, or breaking it.

Correct answer: Place it directly in a sharps container
Moderate
  • A. Return the drape to the sterile field
  • B. Use the drape if its centre looks clean
  • C. Cover the drape with another sterile item
  • D. Discard the drape and replace it

Explanation: Any sterile item that falls below waist level is considered contaminated because it is outside the nurse's direct view and control.

Correct answer: Discard the drape and replace it
  • A. Portal of entry
  • B. Mode of transmission
  • C. Reservoir
  • D. Susceptible host

Explanation: A reservoir is the place where microorganisms live and multiply, such as a person or an infected wound.

Correct answer: Reservoir
  • A. Wash with soap for 10 seconds
  • B. Use an alcohol-based hand rub
  • C. Wipe hands with a dry towel
  • D. Put on gloves without cleaning hands

Explanation: Alcohol-based hand rub is effective for routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled.

Correct answer: Use an alcohol-based hand rub
  • A. Gown and gloves
  • B. Mask and shoe covers
  • C. Eye shield and respirator
  • D. Hair cover and sterile gloves

Explanation: Contact precautions require gloves and a gown because organisms may spread through direct contact or contaminated surfaces.

Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Fairly easy
  • A. Gloves
  • B. Eye protection
  • C. Surgical mask
  • D. Hair cover

Explanation: Gloves are usually removed first because their outer surfaces are commonly contaminated.

Correct answer: Gloves
  • A. Airborne precautions with a fit-tested respirator
  • B. Droplet precautions with a surgical mask
  • C. Contact precautions with sterile gloves
  • D. Protective precautions with a private positive-pressure room

Explanation: Influenza generally requires droplet precautions, including a surgical mask during close care, along with standard precautions.

Correct answer: Droplet precautions with a surgical mask
Moderate
  • A. Cover the surface with a dry towel
  • B. Remove visible soil using appropriate precautions
  • C. Spray disinfectant over the blood immediately
  • D. Place the surface in a sterile container

Explanation: Visible blood and other organic material should be removed safely before disinfection because soil can reduce the effectiveness of…

Correct answer: Remove visible soil using appropriate precautions
Moderate
  • A. The nurse may reach over the sterile field briefly
  • B. A sterile item remains sterile below the nurse's waist
  • C. The outer edge of a sterile package is considered contaminated
  • D. A sterile field stays sterile when left unattended

Explanation: The outer edge of a sterile package or field is treated as contaminated because sterility cannot be assured there.

Correct answer: The outer edge of a sterile package is considered contaminated
  • A. Use it if the chemical indicator changed colour
  • B. Dry it with a clean towel and use it
  • C. Consider it contaminated and reprocess it
  • D. Store it until the moisture evaporates

Explanation: Moisture can carry microorganisms through packaging by strike-through, so a wet pack is considered contaminated.

Correct answer: Consider it contaminated and reprocess it
  • A. Recap it using both hands
  • B. Break it before discarding it
  • C. Place it directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
  • D. Carry it to the treatment room for later disposal

Explanation: A used needle should be placed immediately into a nearby puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping, bending, or breaking it.

Correct answer: Place it directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
  • A. Place it in an open basket for housekeeping staff
  • B. Put it in the designated infectious waste container
  • C. Rinse it in the clinical sink before disposal
  • D. Wrap it in paper and place it with general waste

Explanation: A blood-soaked dressing is infectious healthcare waste and should be placed in the designated container according to facility policy.

Correct answer: Put it in the designated infectious waste container