Infection Control and Prevention Practice Quiz.

Answer Key With Explanations

1. B – Hand hygiene: The most effective method to prevent germ transmission.
2. C – Before and after patient contact: Highest-risk moments for spreading microorganisms.
3. B – Using PPE based on anticipated exposure: Standard precautions apply to all patients.
4. C – 20 seconds: Minimum time recommended for effective handwashing.
5. A – Hands are visibly dirty: Alcohol rub cannot clean dirt or organic matter.
6. C – Face shield or goggles: Protects eyes from splashes and droplets.
7. D – Organizational budget: Not part of the infection transmission chain.
8. C – Person-to-person contact: Direct transmission occurs through physical contact.
9. A – 6 feet (1–2 meters): Droplets travel only short distances.
10. B – Tuberculosis: TB spreads through airborne particles.
11. C – Between patient contacts: Prevents cross-contamination.
12. B – Gown → Mask → Goggles → Gloves: Correct sequence for donning PPE.
13. A – Gloves → Gown → Goggles → Mask: Removes dirtiest items first.
14. B – Hand hygiene before handling: Prevents catheter-associated infections.
15. B – Immediately: Needlestick injuries require urgent reporting.
16. B – Placing them in sharps containers: Ensures safe needle disposal.
17. A – Cholera: Spread through contaminated food and water.
18. A – High-touch surfaces: These areas harbor the most germs.
19. B – Alcohol-based hand rub: Preferred when hands aren’t visibly soiled.
20. C – Break the chain of infection: Purpose of isolation precautions.
21. C – Infectious waste: Red bags are for biohazard materials.
22. C – Clean with appropriate disinfectant: Ensures effective pathogen removal.
23. C – N95/FFP2 respirator: Required for airborne diseases.
24. B – When expecting contact with bodily fluids: Gowns protect skin and clothes.
25. B – Gloves may have micro-tears: Hands can still become contaminated.
26. B – Regular oral hygiene: Reduces ventilator-associated pneumonia risk.
27. C – Non-critical: Contacts only intact skin and requires cleaning.
28. B – Door handles: Common high-touch surfaces.
29. B – WHO: Developed the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene.
30. A – Hepatitis A: Transmitted via the fecal-oral route.
31. B – Use antibiotics only when prescribed: Prevents antimicrobial resistance.
32. B – Clean and disinfect: Ensures equipment is safe for the next patient.
33. C – At doorway or designated area: Prevents contamination of clean spaces.
34. C – Gloves: Most exposed to contamination.
35. B – Using tissues when coughing: Reduces droplet spread.
36. C – Appropriate disinfectant: Required for safe bodily fluid cleanup.
37. B – MRSA patients: Spread mainly through direct or indirect contact.
38. B – Kill all microorganisms: Goal of sterilization.
39. B – 0.5%: Recommended chlorine concentration for blood spills.
40. B – Identify hazards: The first step in risk assessment.
41. B – Human body: Common reservoir for pathogens.
42. B – Harbor microorganisms: Artificial nails trap germs.
43. B – Patient surroundings: Often contaminated with patient-derived microbes.
44. A – Sweat: Not considered infectious unless visibly contaminated.
45. B – Placed in leak-proof bags: Prevents contamination and leakage.
46. B – Soiled or damp: Masks lose effectiveness when wet.
47. C – 60% alcohol: Minimum effective concentration for sanitizers.
48. B – Open wounds: Provide easy entry for pathogens.
49. C – Mode of transmission: Breaking this link stops infection spread.
50. C – All healthcare workers: IPC is everyone’s responsibility.

 

51-100 Scenario-Based IPC Quiz Questions (Set 2)

This other quiz contains 50 scenario-based questions designed to assess knowledge and application of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices.

Each question presents a realistic clinical situation with four answer options (A–D) to test your decision-making and adherence to safety protocols. An answer key with brief explanations is provided at the end to support learning and reinforce best practices.

1. A nurse finishes wound care and removes her gloves. Her hands are not visibly soiled. What should she do next?
A. Apply hand cream
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Wipe hands with tissue
D. Do nothing

2. While assisting a patient with vomiting, you expect splashes. What PPE is MOST appropriate?
A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and face shield
C. Mask only
D. Gown only

3. A patient with suspected TB is coughing heavily. What type of room should he be placed in?
A. Private room with open windows
B. Airborne isolation room
C. Standard ward
D. Contact isolation room

4. You see a colleague recapping a used needle. What is the correct action?
A. Ignore it
B. Remind them to dispose of the needle directly into a sharps container
C. Ask them to recap carefully
D. Report immediately without speaking to them

5. A patient with C. difficile has diarrhea. Which hand hygiene method should staff use after care?
A. Alcohol hand rub
B. Soap and water
C. Gloves only
D. Sanitizing wipes

6. After removing PPE used for a droplet-precaution patient, where should you remove your mask?
A. Inside the room
B. Outside the room in a designated area
C. In the hallway
D. In the bathroom

7. You are caring for a patient who is coughing, sneezing, and has confirmed influenza. What type of precautions apply?
A. Airborne
B. Contact
C. Droplet
D. Sterile

8. You notice a spill of blood on the floor. What should you do FIRST?
A. Put on gloves
B. Cover the spill with paper towels
C. Call housekeeping
D. Block off the area

9. A respiratory therapist needs to suction a patient. What PPE is MOST appropriate?
A. Mask only
B. Gloves only
C. Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
D. None

10. A patient with MRSA needs transport for an X-ray. What precaution is necessary?
A. Wear gloves and gown
B. Have the patient wear a mask
C. No special precautions needed
D. Transport should be avoided at all times

11. A visitor enters an isolation room without PPE. What should you do?
A. Give PPE and explain how to use it
B. Ask them to leave
C. Allow them to stay briefly
D. Ignore it

12. A nurse touches a patient’s bed rail then adjusts her own mask. What has occurred?
A. No issue
B. Proper mask adjustment
C. Self-contamination
D. PPE breach but safe

13. You see linen soaked in urine placed on the floor. What is the correct action?
A. Leave it for cleaning staff
B. Pick it up with bare hands
C. Place in a leak-proof laundry bag
D. Shake it out before bagging

14. During wound dressing, the patient coughs and droplets land on your gown. What should you do?
A. Continue working
B. Remove the gown and perform hand hygiene
C. Wipe the gown with tissue
D. Replace only the gloves

15. While cleaning a commode, disinfectant splashes toward your eyes. What PPE should you have worn?
A. Gown
B. Gloves
C. Goggles or face shield
D. Apron

16. After caring for a COVID-19 patient, you remove gloves and gown. What is your NEXT step?
A. Check your phone
B. Hand hygiene
C. Leave the room
D. Remove mask immediately

17. You are assigned a patient with norovirus. Which precaution is MOST important?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Contact
D. Reverse isolation

18. A healthcare worker is unsure how to clean the stethoscope after patient use. What is correct?
A. Use water only
B. Disinfect with approved wipes
C. Shake it to remove germs
D. Reuse without cleaning

19. You are asked to assist with a lumbar puncture. What type of asepsis is required?
A. Clean technique
B. Sterile technique
C. Social distancing
D. No special technique

20. A patient with TB needs medication delivered. What should staff wear?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. No mask
D. Cloth mask

21. A colleague removes gloves, then immediately starts charting. What step was skipped?
A. PPE removal
B. Hand hygiene
C. Documentation
D. Mask removal

22. After cleaning a room, you remove your gloves and notice dirt on your hands. What should you do?
A. Wipe with tissue
B. Wash with soap and water
C. Use alcohol rub only
D. Ignore it

23. During IV insertion, the sterile field gets accidentally touched. What must be done?
A. Continue anyway
B. Replace the contaminated items
C. Ignore it if no one saw
D. Remove gloves only

24. A patient in isolation wants to walk in the hallway. What should you do FIRST?
A. Allow freely
B. Ask patient to wear required PPE
C. Let family decide
D. Nothing is needed

25. A staff member cleans a blood spill using water only. What is the issue?
A. Nothing
B. Water spreads contamination
C. Water disinfects
D. PPE not required

26. A nurse removes PPE but touches the outside of her mask. What happened?
A. Mask adjustment
B. Self-contamination
C. Proper removal
D. Standard practice

27. You see a housekeeping worker mopping without gloves. What should you advise?
A. Gloves are optional
B. Always wear gloves for cleaning
C. Only wear gloves for blood
D. Gloves are for nurses only

28. A patient with hepatitis B needs a blood draw. What precautions apply?
A. Standard precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. None

29. While providing oral care to a ventilated patient, what PPE is REQUIRED?
A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and mask
C. Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
D. No PPE

30. A healthcare worker uses the same gown between two patients. What is the risk?
A. No risk
B. Cross-contamination
C. PPE conservation
D. Better efficiency

31. A doctor coughs into his hands, then examines a patient. What occurred?
A. Proper hygiene
B. Cross-infection risk
C. Droplet control
D. Hand hygiene first

32. You find an overfilled sharps container. What should you do?
A. Push it down
B. Replace it immediately
C. Ignore it
D. Tape it shut

33. A patient is on contact precautions. What must staff wear?
A. Mask only
B. Gloves and gown
C. Goggles only
D. Hair cover only

34. You accidentally splash blood on your arm. What is your FIRST action?
A. Continue working
B. Wash the area immediately
C. Put on a sweater
D. Report next shift

35. A visitor is coughing and not wearing a mask. What should you do?
A. Ask them to leave
B. Offer a mask and educate
C. Ignore it
D. Call security immediately

36. A patient with measles is coming to the clinic. Which staff PPE is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Gloves only
D. Apron

37. You observe a nurse using the same stethoscope on multiple patients without cleaning it. What risk exists?
A. None
B. Spread of infection
C. PPE failure
D. Environmental contamination only

38. A patient is in a multi-bed room with confirmed COVID-19. What should be done?
A. Move to a single room
B. Leave as is
C. Add more visitors
D. Turn off ventilation

39. A healthcare worker sneezes into their elbow but doesn’t perform hand hygiene. What next?
A. Nothing needed
B. Perform hand hygiene
C. Replace PPE
D. Leave the room

40. You see a nurse wearing artificial nails. Why is this an IPC concern?
A. They look unprofessional
B. They harbor microorganisms
C. They damage gloves
D. They cause allergies

41. A patient drops a used tissue on the bedside table. What should you do?
A. Ignore it
B. Dispose of it with gloves
C. Shake it out
D. Place it under the pillow

42. A visitor wants to eat inside a contact precaution room. Is this allowed?
A. Yes, anytime
B. No, due to contamination risk
C. Yes, if the food is covered
D. Only if the door is closed

43. You spill disinfectant on your gloves and feel a burning sensation. What should you do?
A. Wipe gloves
B. Remove gloves and wash hands
C. Continue working
D. Add lotion

44. A patient with diarrhea is using shared bathroom facilities. What should staff do?
A. Nothing
B. Clean bathroom frequently with disinfectant
C. Close bathroom completely
D. Allow unsupervised use

45. A staff member forgets to wear goggles while dealing with a splashing procedure. What risk occurred?
A. PPE damage
B. Eye exposure to pathogens
C. No significant risk
D. Restricted breathing

46. You see a colleague touching their phone while wearing contaminated gloves. What is this?
A. Good multitasking
B. Unsafe practice
C. Acceptable behavior
D. Time-saving

47. A family member brings flowers to a neutropenic patient. What is the issue?
A. No issue
B. Risk of introducing microorganisms
C. Flowers help recovery
D. Allergies only

48. During a dressing change, a nurse places sterile gauze on a non-sterile tray. What must be done?
A. Continue procedure
B. Replace contaminated gauze
C. Use it carefully
D. Add disinfectant

49. A patient with scabies needs care. What precautions apply?
A. Airborne
B. Contact
C. Droplet
D. None

50. You are preparing an injection and drop the sterile needle on the floor. What should you do?
A. Pick it up and use it
B. Replace with a new sterile needle
C. Rinse it
D. Wipe with a cloth

Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Answer Key with Short Explanations (1-50)

1. B – Perform hand hygiene: Removes germs after glove removal.
2. B – Gloves and face shield: Protects hands and face from splashes.
3. B – Airborne isolation room: TB spreads through airborne particles.
4. B – Dispose in sharps container: Recapping needles increases injury risk.
5. B – Soap and water: Alcohol is ineffective against C. difficile spores.
6. B – Outside the room: Prevents contaminating clean areas.
7. C – Droplet: Influenza spreads via large respiratory droplets.
8. A – Put on gloves: Protects hands before cleaning the spill.
9. C – Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection: Standard for aerosol or splash risk.
10. A – Wear gloves and gown: Prevents MRSA transmission during transport.
11. A – Give PPE and explain use: Educates and protects the visitor.
12. C – Self-contamination: Touching mask with contaminated hands spreads germs.
13. C – Leak-proof laundry bag: Prevents environmental contamination.
14. B – Remove gown and hand hygiene: Contaminated gown must be discarded.
15. C – Goggles or face shield: Protects eyes from chemical splashes.
16. B – Hand hygiene: Removes any contamination after PPE removal.
17. C – Contact: Norovirus spreads via direct or indirect contact.
18. B – Disinfect with approved wipes: Prevents cross-contamination.
19. B – Sterile technique: Required for invasive procedures.
20. B – N95 respirator: Protects against airborne TB.
21. B – Hand hygiene: Prevents spread after glove removal.
22. B – Wash with soap and water: Dirt requires soap and water, not alcohol alone.
23. B – Replace contaminated items: Maintains sterile field integrity.
24. B – Patient wears required PPE: Prevents transmission to others.
25. B – Water spreads contamination: Disinfectant is needed to kill pathogens.
26. B – Self-contamination: Touching outside of mask can spread germs.
27. B – Always wear gloves: Required for cleaning tasks with potential contamination.
28. A – Standard precautions: Bloodborne precautions prevent hepatitis B spread.
29. C – Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection: Aerosol risk during oral care.
30. B – Cross-contamination: Reusing gown spreads pathogens.
31. B – Cross-infection risk: Hands contaminated by cough can transmit germs.
32. B – Replace immediately: Overfilled sharps containers are hazardous.
33. B – Gloves and gown: Required for contact precautions.
34. B – Wash the area immediately: Blood exposure requires immediate cleaning.
35. B – Offer mask and educate: Protects patient and visitor.
36. B – N95 respirator: Measles is airborne and highly contagious.
37. B – Spread of infection: Unclean stethoscope transmits germs.
38. A – Move to single room: Isolation prevents cross-infection.
39. B – Perform hand hygiene: Prevents spread after contact with respiratory secretions.
40. B – Harbor microorganisms: Artificial nails can carry pathogens.
41. B – Dispose with gloves: Prevents contamination when handling soiled items.
42. B – No, due to contamination risk: Contact precautions prevent disease spread.
43. B – Remove gloves and wash hands: Protects skin from chemical injury.
44. B – Clean bathroom frequently: Reduces environmental transmission.
45. B – Eye exposure to pathogens: Goggles prevent splash injuries.
46. B – Unsafe practice: Touching personal items with contaminated gloves spreads germs.
47. B – Risk of introducing microorganisms: Flowers may carry pathogens harmful to immunocompromised patients.
48. B – Replace contaminated gauze: Sterile field must remain sterile.
49. B – Contact: Scabies spreads through direct skin contact.
50. B – Replace with new sterile needle: Using contaminated needle risks infection.