Free Infection Prevention and Asepsis MCQs with Answers

50 Infection Prevention and Asepsis MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Asepsis covers the chain of infection, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, standard and transmission-based precautions, sterilisation, disinfection and safe waste disposal. The key distinction is between medical asepsis, which reduces microorganisms, and surgical asepsis, which maintains a sterile field during invasive procedures.

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50 questions · page 3 of 3

  • A. Gloves replace hand hygiene when they remain intact
  • B. Hand hygiene is needed before applying and after removing gloves
  • C. Hand hygiene is needed only when gloves become visibly torn
  • D. Hand hygiene is unnecessary if the patient has no fever

Explanation: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene because hands may become contaminated during glove removal or through small defects.

Correct answer: Hand hygiene is needed before applying and after removing gloves
Hard
  • A. Place the patient in a negative-pressure room and use an N95 respirator
  • B. Place the patient in a single room and use a surgical mask only
  • C. Place the patient with other coughing patients and use gloves
  • D. Place the patient in a positive-pressure room and use a surgical mask

Explanation: Chickenpox requires airborne and contact precautions because the varicella-zoster virus can spread through airborne particles and direct…

Correct answer: Place the patient in a negative-pressure room and use an N95 respirator
  • A. They are used only for patients with a confirmed infection
  • B. They are used for every patient when contact with body fluids is possible
  • C. They require an N95 respirator for every patient encounter
  • D. They replace the need for additional isolation precautions

Explanation: Standard precautions apply to all patients and are based on the possibility of contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin or mucous…

Correct answer: They are used for every patient when contact with body fluids is possible
Hard
  • A. Clean from the most contaminated area toward the least contaminated area
  • B. Clean from the least contaminated area toward the most contaminated area
  • C. Use the same gauze for every area if it remains moist
  • D. Clean the wound and surrounding skin with one circular motion

Explanation: Cleaning from the least contaminated area toward the most contaminated area prevents organisms from being carried into cleaner tissue.

Correct answer: Clean from the least contaminated area toward the most contaminated area
Hard
  • A. Hold the bottle opening above the basin without touching it
  • B. Rest the bottle opening on the basin rim while pouring
  • C. Touch the bottle opening to the inside of the basin
  • D. Pour the saline back into the bottle if excess remains

Explanation: The bottle opening must remain above and not touch the sterile basin, because contact would contaminate the opening and the field.

Correct answer: Hold the bottle opening above the basin without touching it
Moderate
  • A. Gloves and a fluid-resistant gown only
  • B. Gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, mask and eye protection
  • C. An N95 respirator and shoe covers only
  • D. A surgical cap and shoe covers without hand protection

Explanation: A mask and eye protection protect the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes from splashes, while gloves and a gown protect the skin…

Correct answer: Gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, mask and eye protection
Moderate
  • A. Place it directly in a disinfectant solution
  • B. Rinse and clean it according to the facility procedure before processing
  • C. Wrap it immediately and send it for storage
  • D. Wipe it with a dry cloth and use it again

Explanation: Cleaning removes organic material and allows the disinfectant or sterilisation process to contact the instrument surface effectively.

Correct answer: Rinse and clean it according to the facility procedure before processing
  • A. A used disposable syringe with the needle attached
  • B. A blood-stained cotton swab without a sharp edge
  • C. A used disposable patient gown
  • D. An empty intravenous fluid bag

Explanation: A used syringe with its needle attached can puncture skin and must go directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container.

Correct answer: A used disposable syringe with the needle attached
  • A. Use the same cleaning cloth for the table and nearby clean equipment
  • B. Wear appropriate protective equipment and use an approved disinfectant
  • C. Spray disinfectant into the air around the table
  • D. Move the table to another patient's bedside before cleaning

Explanation: The nurse uses appropriate PPE and an approved disinfectant according to the product instructions and facility policy.

Correct answer: Wear appropriate protective equipment and use an approved disinfectant
  • A. Direct contact transmission
  • B. Indirect contact transmission
  • C. Droplet transmission
  • D. Airborne transmission

Explanation: Indirect contact transmission occurs when microorganisms spread through a contaminated object or surface, such as a doorknob.

Correct answer: Indirect contact transmission