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NCLEX-RN safety and infection control practice questions, set 3

NCLEX-RN · safety and infection control

NCLEX-RN safety and infection control practice questions set 3

You stop the harm first: isolation, falls, equipment, and the order that keeps the unit safe. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the NCLEX-RN exam guide or more NCLEX-RN practice questions.

Five safety and infection control questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

A client is post-op day #1 after a hemilaminectomy. The nurse removes the dressing as ordered and notes that the incision appears slightly red, with a small amount of serous drainage coming from the site. The edges of the incision are approximated. What is the next action of the nurse?

  1. A. Assist the client to shower as ordered and monitor the site for further changes
  2. B. Instruct the client to lie prone to allow the site to dry
  3. C. Place antibiotic ointment and a sterile dressing over the site
  4. D. Notify the physician for an antibiotic order
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Assist the client to shower as ordered and monitor the site for further changes

An incision that appears slightly red with a small amount of serous drainage on the first day following surgery is going through a normal healing process. It is important to keep the incision clean. In this case, the nurse should assist the client to shower as ordered to maintain hygiene and monitor for changes in the incision site. Instructing the client to lie prone may not be necessary and could cause discomfort. Applying antibiotic ointment without a specific order is not recommended as it can interfere with the healing process. Notifying the physician for an antibiotic order is premature at this stage since the incision is showing normal signs of healing.

Question 2

An 86-year-old client with decreased visual acuity who uses a cane for mobility requires fall prevention education. What should the nurse teach this client to reduce the risk of falling at home?

  1. A. Take off shoes while in the house and wear only socks
  2. B. Limit activities to the lower level of the home
  3. C. Keep a lamp near the door of every room
  4. D. Install non-slip pads in the shower or bathtub
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Install non-slip pads in the shower or bathtub

To reduce the risk of falling at home for an elderly client with decreased visual acuity and using a cane for mobility, installing non-slip pads in the shower or bathtub is crucial. This measure helps prevent slips and falls in areas where water accumulation may occur. While taking off shoes and wearing socks may seem comfortable, it increases the risk of slipping. Limiting activities to the lower level of the home may restrict the client's independence and quality of life unnecessarily. Keeping a lamp near the door of every room may improve visibility but does not directly address the risk of falls associated with mobility and visual acuity issues.

Question 3

When would chest thrusts be performed in an emergency situation?

  1. A. When performing CPR to initiate cardiovascular circulation.
  2. B. When assessing responsiveness of an unconscious patient.
  3. C. When assisting a pregnant woman who is choking.
  4. D. None of the above examples indicate the need for chest thrusts.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — When assisting a pregnant woman who is choking.

In the scenario of an emergency where a pregnant woman is choking, chest thrusts are performed to clear the airway obstruction. This technique is used instead of abdominal thrusts to avoid potential harm to the fetus. While chest thrusts are not as effective as abdominal thrusts in clearing obstructions, they are the preferred method in this specific situation. Choices A and B are incorrect as chest thrusts are not typically performed during CPR to initiate cardiovascular circulation or when assessing responsiveness of an unconscious patient. Choice D is incorrect as chest thrusts are indeed warranted when assisting a pregnant woman who is choking.

Question 4

A healthcare professional is employed at a district health department and must spend several hours each day sitting at a desk. Which principle of ergonomics will most likely help them to reduce the risk of injury or pain in this situation?

  1. A. Adjust the chair height to keep the legs bent at the hips at a 90-degree angle
  2. B. Maintain the position of the computer monitor just below eye level
  3. C. Stand up and take a walk or stretch every 4 hours
  4. D. Rest wrists on the edge of the desk while typing
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Adjust the chair height to keep the legs bent at the hips at a 90-degree angle

When sitting for prolonged periods, it is important to adjust the height of the chair so that the legs are bent at the hips at a 90-degree angle. This position helps to reduce pressure on the back, legs, and feet, promoting better posture and reducing muscle fatigue. Standing up and moving around at least once every hour is crucial to support circulation and prevent stiffness. Maintaining the position of the computer monitor just below eye level helps reduce strain on the neck and eyes. Resting wrists on the edge of the desk while typing can lead to wrist strain and discomfort, so it is not an ergonomic recommendation for prolonged desk work.

Question 5

A client in a long-term care facility has developed reddened skin over the sacrum, which has cracked and started to blister. The nurse confirms that the client has not been assisted with turning while in bed. Which stage of pressure ulcer is this client exhibiting?

  1. A. Stage I
  2. B. Stage II
  3. C. Stage III
  4. D. Stage IV
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Stage II

The client is exhibiting a stage II pressure ulcer. A stage II pressure ulcer develops as a partial thickness wound that affects both the epidermis and the dermal layers of skin. This stage can present with red skin, blisters, or cracking, appearing shallow and moist. However, the ulcer does not extend to the underlying tissues at this stage. Choice A (Stage I) is incorrect as Stage I ulcers involve non-blanchable redness of intact skin. Choices C (Stage III) and D (Stage IV) are incorrect as they involve more severe tissue damage, extending into deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissues, which is not the case in this scenario.

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Ten more NCLEX-RN safety and infection control questions

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Question 6

All of the following factors may contribute to client falls EXCEPT:

  1. A. Contact dermatitis
  2. B. Urinary frequency
  3. C. Decreased visual acuity
  4. D. Confusion
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Question 7

What is an attack using microorganisms such as bacteria or viral agents with the intent to harm others called?

  1. A. Assimilation
  2. B. Defense intervention
  3. C. Bioterrorism
  4. D. Environmental remediation
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Question 8

A client has just started a transfusion of packed red blood cells that a physician ordered. Which of the following signs may indicate a transfusion reaction?

  1. A. The client suddenly complains of back pain and has chills
  2. B. The client develops dependent edema in the extremities
  3. C. The client has a seizure
  4. D. The client's heart rate drops to 60 bpm
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Question 9

Which principle of body mechanics may help to reduce the risk of a back injury?

  1. A. Maintain a wide base of support
  2. B. Bend from the knees, not the waist
  3. C. Keep the back straight while lifting
  4. D. Push or pull objects rather than lifting
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Question 10

A client is being assisted with ambulation in the hallway using a gait belt when they become dizzy and start to faint. What is the first action the nurse should take?

  1. A. Stand behind the client and prepare to catch them if they fall
  2. B. Assist the client to sit in the nearest chair or slide down along a wall
  3. C. Grasp the client under the arms and pull them upward
  4. D. Call for help from nearby staff
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Question 11

Which of the following situations indicates the need to file an incident report?

  1. A. The neon sign directing parking for visitors has burned out
  2. B. A nurse must send a syringe pump to maintenance for annual service
  3. C. A client's blood pressure dropped to 90/55 after receiving a dose of morphine
  4. D. A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises
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Question 12

When performing CPR, at what rate should chest compressions be applied?

  1. A. 100 per minute
  2. B. 60 per minute
  3. C. As quickly as possible
  4. D. 200 per minute
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Question 13

During the general survey, what action is a component of the assessment?

  1. A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
  2. B. Interpreting the subjective information reported by the patient
  3. C. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
  4. D. Observing specific body systems during the physical assessment
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Question 14

A client is complaining of pain in his right hand after surgery. The IV in his hand has slowed down, and the skin around the site is reddened and cool. The client reports localized pain in the hand and fingers. What is the most likely cause of this client's pain?

  1. A. The client's IV is infiltrated
  2. B. The client is experiencing phlebitis from the last drug administered
  3. C. The client has a blood clot developing in the distal arteries of the wrist
  4. D. The client's pain is associated with myocardial ischemia and he is having a heart attack
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Question 15

One of your patients is dependent on a mechanical ventilator for their respiratory needs. The patient cannot breathe on their own. Suddenly, the lights in the patient's room and the entire nursing unit go off. You realize that the electric power has been lost. What is the first thing that you should do for this patient?

  1. A. Plug the ventilator into the red outlet in the room.
  2. B. Plug the ventilator into the blue outlet in the room.
  3. C. Use an Ambu bag to ventilate the patient.
  4. D. Call the doctor about this emergency.
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About these NCLEX-RN safety and infection control questions

NCLEX-RN safety and infection control practice questions, set 3 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the NCLEX-RN exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

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