Infection Control CNA Practice Test 2 with Answers

Question 1

A nurse aide is about to help a resident with morning care. When should the nurse aide perform hand hygiene?

Accepted Answer

Before and after touching the resident. C (correct): Hand hygiene must be performed both before and after resident contact to prevent transmission of microorganisms to and from the resident. A (incorrect): Performing hand hygiene only before contact protects the resident but does not protect the nurse aide or other residents from potential contamination. B (incorrect): Hand hygiene only after contact protects the nurse aide and others but does not protect the resident from microorganisms on the aide's hands. D (incorrect): Hands can carry harmful microorganisms even when they appear clean. Hand hygiene is based on potential contamination, not visible dirt.

Question 2

Which of the following is the BEST reason for using standard precautions with all residents?

Accepted Answer

It is impossible to know which residents have infections. A (correct): Standard precautions are used with all residents because infections may be present before symptoms appear or are diagnosed. This approach assumes all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious. B (incorrect): While consistency is beneficial, saving time is not the primary reason for standard precautions — resident and staff safety is the priority. C (incorrect): Standard precautions may actually increase PPE use. Cost reduction is not the purpose; infection prevention is. D (incorrect): This directly contradicts the principle of standard precautions, which must be used with all residents regardless of diagnosis.

Question 3

When removing personal protective equipment (PPE), which item should be removed first to prevent the spread of germs?

Accepted Answer

Gloves. B (correct): Gloves are the most contaminated item and should be removed first. The correct order per the CDC is: gloves, face shield, gown, then mask. A, C, D (incorrect): These items are removed after gloves to avoid spreading contaminants to the face and body.

Question 4

A nurse aide has assisted a resident with C. difficile who has just finished toileting. Which hand hygiene method is required for the nurse aide?

Accepted Answer

Soap and water. D (correct): C. diff spores require soap and water to remove; alcohol-based sanitizer is ineffective against C. diff spores. A (incorrect): Alcohol does not kill C. diff spores. B (incorrect): Gloves do not replace hand hygiene — hand hygiene must be performed after removing gloves. C (incorrect): Antibacterial wipes are not adequate for spore removal.

Question 5

A resident has been placed on droplet precautions. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for the nurse aide when entering the room?

Accepted Answer

Surgical mask. B (correct): Droplet precautions require a surgical mask to protect against large droplets that travel short distances, usually within 3 to 6 feet. Gloves should also be worn if contact with the resident is anticipated. A (incorrect): Gloves alone do not protect against respiratory droplets that could be inhaled or contact mucous membranes. C (incorrect): N95 respirators are required for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions. Airborne particles are smaller and remain suspended in the air longer. D (incorrect): While gowns and goggles may be needed for certain procedures, a surgical mask is the primary PPE for droplet precautions.

Question 6

Which action by the nurse aide helps prevent the spread of germs during resident care?

Accepted Answer

Placing clean linens on a clean chair before making the bed. C (correct): Clean linens must be placed on a clean surface to avoid contamination. A clean chair or bedside table is appropriate. A (incorrect): Basins must never be shared between residents, as this spreads infection. B (incorrect): Once supplies have been in a patient's room, they are considered contaminated unless in unopened sterile packaging and should not be used in another patient's room. D (incorrect): Shaking linens spreads microorganisms into the air.

Question 7

The nurse aide is caring for a resident who coughs directly onto the nurse aide's arm. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Wash the area with soap and water. C (correct): If a patient coughs directly on a nurse aide's arm, the exposed area should be cleaned with soap and water immediately, and personal protective measures should be applied to prevent pathogen transmission. A (incorrect): Delaying decontamination increases infection risk. B (incorrect): Wiping with a dry towel does not remove pathogens. D (incorrect): Hand sanitizer is formulated for hands, not for visibly soiled or exposed skin areas.

Question 8

A nurse aide is cleaning a resident's room. Which action demonstrates proper infection-control practice?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning from the cleanest area to the dirtiest. C (correct): Cleaning from clean to dirty prevents germs from spreading to clean surfaces. A (incorrect): Leaving dirty linen and trash at the door can spread germs into the hallway and other areas. B (incorrect): Using the same cloth cross-contaminates surfaces — separate cloths must be used for different areas. D (incorrect): Spraying disinfectant into the air is unsafe and ineffective for surface disinfection.

Question 9

A nurse aide was accidentally stuck by a used needle while cleaning a resident's room. What should be the nurse aide's FIRST action?

Accepted Answer

Wash the area with soap and water. B (correct): Immediately washing the area with soap and water is the first step to reduce potential pathogens at the site of exposure. A (incorrect): While reporting is crucial and should happen quickly, immediate wound cleansing is the priority to reduce infection risk. C (incorrect): Applying a bandage before washing could trap pathogens at the wound site. D (incorrect): Documentation is important but should occur after immediate first aid and reporting to the nurse.

Question 10

A nurse aide develops a fever, sore throat, and cough. What is the appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the illness to the supervisor and do not report to work until cleared. B (correct): Healthcare workers with potentially contagious illnesses must report to their supervisor and follow facility policy to prevent exposing residents to infection. A (incorrect): Infectious organisms can still transfer to patients even while wearing a mask. C (incorrect): Working at the nurses' station would not prevent transmission of organisms to staff, who could then transfer them to patients and family members. D (incorrect): Treating symptoms does not eliminate the infectious organisms. Healthcare workers have a professional and ethical obligation to avoid exposing residents to infection.

Question 11

A nurse aide accidentally gets blood on their bare hands while removing soiled linens. What should the nurse aide do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. B (correct): Immediate washing removes blood and reduces the risk of pathogen exposure. Bloodborne pathogen exposure requires prompt action. A (incorrect): Delaying decontamination increases the risk of exposure and transmission to others. C (incorrect): Hand sanitizer alone is insufficient for visible blood or body fluid contamination; soap and water is required. D (incorrect): Exposure must be reported immediately after washing so that post-exposure protocols can begin promptly, including possible prophylaxis.

Question 12

A nurse aide is caring for a resident who is on contact precautions for MRSA. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required?

Accepted Answer

Gown and gloves. B (correct): Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission via direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. A (incorrect): MRSA is not transmitted through respiratory droplets, so a mask alone is not sufficient. C (incorrect): N95 respirators are for airborne precautions such as TB, measles, and chickenpox, not contact precautions. D (incorrect): Shoe covers and hair nets are not standard for contact precautions and are typically used in surgical or sterile environments.

Question 13

While cleaning a resident's room, the nurse aide finds a used needle on the floor. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Use forceps or a rigid container to pick it up without touching it, then place it in the sharps container. C (correct): Never handle sharps with hands, even gloved. Use mechanical means such as forceps or a scoop, or a rigid container to safely transfer to a sharps container. Report the incident. A (incorrect): Gloves do not protect against needlestick injuries. B (incorrect): Never recap a needle — recapping significantly increases the chance of a needlestick injury. D (incorrect): This is a biohazard and safety risk requiring immediate action. The nurse aide should address it safely or secure the area and get immediate help.

Question 14

The nurse aide noticed that a nurse did not wash their hands between residents. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Politely remind the nurse about hand hygiene. C (correct): Patient safety takes priority. A respectful reminder is appropriate as a first step. If the pattern continues or the response is negative, escalate to the supervisor per the chain of command. A (incorrect): Ignoring infection control breaches compromises resident safety. Everyone is responsible for maintaining standards. B (incorrect): Posting on social media violates confidentiality, is unprofessional, and may result in the nurse aide losing their job. D (incorrect): The first step is addressing the concern through the facility's chain of command, not filing an external complaint.

Question 15

Airborne precautions are necessary for which condition?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis (TB). C (correct): TB is transmitted via airborne particles that remain suspended in the air. Airborne precautions require negative-pressure rooms and N95 respirators. A (incorrect): Influenza requires droplet precautions with a surgical mask, not airborne precautions. B (incorrect): MRSA requires contact precautions with a gown and gloves, not airborne precautions. D (incorrect): C. diff requires contact precautions with emphasis on soap and water handwashing.

Question 16

When transporting a resident on contact precautions to another department, what should the nurse aide do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Notify the receiving department about the precautions. C (correct): The receiving department must be notified so they can prepare appropriate precautions before the resident arrives. A, B, D (incorrect): Residents on contact precautions do not need to wear masks, gowns, or gloves during transport. These are precautions for caregivers, not the resident.

Question 17

A resident with influenza must be transported for an X-ray. What is the MOST important action?

Accepted Answer

Have the resident wear a mask during transport. B (correct): Droplet precautions require the resident to wear a mask to prevent respiratory spread to others during transport. A, C, D (incorrect): Using a wheelchair, providing a blanket, and giving the resident tissues may all be appropriate components of transport, but none of these actions addresses the infection control priority. Masking must come first.

Question 18

Which statement about vaccines is within the scope of practice for the nurse aide?

Accepted Answer

The nurse aide can remind residents about vaccine appointments. B (correct): Nurse aides may remind residents about appointments and assist with scheduling. A (incorrect): Deciding which vaccines a resident needs requires a licensed provider and is outside the nurse aide's scope of practice. C (incorrect): Nurse aides cannot administer vaccines under any circumstance, including under nurse supervision. D (incorrect): Nurse aides should never document anything they did not personally perform. Documenting vaccine orders is outside their scope of practice.

Question 19

Which action helps prevent the transmission of infection during resident transport?

Accepted Answer

Disinfecting the wheelchair between residents. C (correct): Shared equipment must be disinfected between residents to prevent cross-contamination. A (incorrect): Leaving the wheelchair in the hallway does not prevent infection transmission and may obstruct the hallway. B (incorrect): Transporting multiple residents simultaneously increases the risk of cross-contamination. D (incorrect): Wearing gloves while pushing the wheelchair protects the nurse aide but does not decontaminate the equipment for the next resident.

Question 20

Which observation by the nurse aide should be reported immediately to the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The resident has warmth and redness around a wound. D (correct): Redness and warmth around a wound are signs of possible infection, which requires immediate assessment by the nurse. A, B, C (incorrect): A request for extra blankets, refusing breakfast, and sleeping later than usual are all observations that should be documented and reported during routine communication, but none require immediate escalation the way a potential wound infection does.

Infection Control CNA Practice Test 2 with Answers

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This Infection Control Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Michele J. McCarthy

Kailey R.

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Common Questions About Infection Control on the CNA Exam

What infection control topics show up most on the CNA exam?

When should I wash my hands instead of using hand sanitizer?

If I wear gloves, do I still need to perform hand hygiene?

What does 'clean to dirty' mean in simple terms?

What's the most common mistake on infection control questions?

What's the safest way to handle soiled linens?

What should I do if blood or body fluids get on me?

How do I choose between two answers that both seem correct?

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