Free Infection Prevention and Asepsis MCQs with Answers

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• A. Gloves
• B. Eye protection
• C. Surgical mask
• D. Hair cover

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

• 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.

• 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…

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.