NurseQuizAI
Free NCLEX practice · Infection Control

NCLEX Infection Control Practice Questions

Infection control is one of the most predictable NCLEX areas. Once you know which illness goes with which precaution, these become easy points.

These questions cover transmission-based precautions, PPE and safe practice.

Want more infection control questions?
Upload your lecture slides or notes and get NCLEX-style questions written from them, with rationales.
Practise Infection Control Free
No credit card required. 50 free questions every 30 days.

What the NCLEX tests in infection control

5 infection control practice questions with rationales

Answer each one before opening the rationale. Every option is explained, including the wrong ones.

Question 1 · Multiple choice
A client has pulmonary tuberculosis. Which precautions should the nurse use?
  1. Contact
  2. Droplet
  3. Airborne
  4. Standard only
Show answer and rationale

Answer: C

A. Contact precautions are for infections spread by touch.

B. Droplet is for larger particles like influenza.

C. Correct. TB needs a negative-pressure room and an N95 respirator.

D. Standard precautions alone are not enough.

Question 2 · Multiple choice
A client has Clostridioides difficile. How should the nurse clean their hands after care?
  1. Alcohol-based hand rub
  2. Soap and water
  3. Either is acceptable
  4. Gloves alone are enough
Show answer and rationale

Answer: B

A. Alcohol does not kill C. diff spores.

B. Correct. Soap and water physically remove spores.

C. Only soap and water is effective here.

D. Hand hygiene is required after glove removal.

Question 3 · Select all that apply
Which conditions require airborne precautions? Select all that apply.
  1. Measles
  2. Varicella (chickenpox)
  3. Influenza
  4. Tuberculosis
  5. MRSA wound infection
Show answer and rationale

Answer: A, B, D

A. Correct.

B. Correct. Chickenpox needs airborne and contact precautions.

C. Influenza uses droplet precautions.

D. Correct.

E. MRSA uses contact precautions.

Question 4 · Multiple choice
What is the correct order for removing PPE?
  1. Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
  2. Gloves, goggles or face shield, gown, mask
  3. Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
  4. Goggles, mask, gloves, gown
Show answer and rationale

Answer: B

A. Removing the mask first contaminates the face with dirty gloves.

B. Correct. Gloves (most contaminated) first, mask last, then hand hygiene.

C. Gloves should come off first.

D. Gloves are the most contaminated and come off first.

Question 5 · Select all that apply
Which actions maintain a sterile field? Select all that apply.
  1. Keep sterile items above waist level
  2. Turn your back to the field briefly to get supplies
  3. Consider the outer 1 inch of the field non-sterile
  4. Pour solutions without splashing the field
  5. Reach across the sterile field
Show answer and rationale

Answer: A, C, D

A. Correct. Below the waist is considered contaminated.

B. A field out of view is considered contaminated.

C. Correct.

D. Correct. Moisture wicks contamination through the field.

E. Reaching across contaminates the field.

How to study infection control for the NCLEX

  1. Airborne: "My Chicken Hez TB" (measles, chickenpox, herpes zoster disseminated, TB).
  2. Droplet: influenza, pertussis, meningitis, mumps; mask within about 3 feet.
  3. C. diff means soap and water every time.

Frequently asked questions

What infection control topics are on NCLEX?

Transmission-based precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, sterile technique and isolation room assignments.

How do I remember which precaution to use?

Memorise the short airborne and droplet lists; most other common infections in exam questions use contact precautions.

Can I make infection control questions from my notes?

Yes. Upload your fundamentals notes to NurseQuizAI.

Practise infection control on your own material
NurseQuizAI turns your nursing notes into NCLEX-style questions, including select all that apply, and tracks what you keep missing.
Practise Infection Control Free
No credit card required. 50 free questions every 30 days.
All NCLEX topics Pharmacology questions Cardiac questions Respiratory questions Fluids and Electrolytes questions Diabetes and Endocrine questions Maternity and OB questions Pediatrics questions Mental Health questions Prioritization and Delegation questions Dosage Calculation questions ABG Interpretation questions Med-Surg questions SATA strategy guide