CNA Infection Control Practice Test with Answers

Question 1

A nurse aide has finished providing care to a resident and is removing gloves. Which technique is correct?

Accepted Answer

Grasp the outside of one glove and peel it off, then slide fingers under the second glove to remove it. Grasp the outside of one glove and peel it off, then slide fingers under the second glove to remove it is correct. Proper glove removal involves grasping the outside of one glove near the wrist, peeling it off, then sliding bare fingers under the wrist of the remaining glove to remove it without touching the contaminated outer surface. Pull both gloves off at the same time is incorrect because pulling both gloves off at the same time increases the risk of touching the contaminated outer surface. Remove gloves after leaving the room is incorrect because contaminated gloves should be removed inside the room to prevent possible transmission of organisms. Wash hands while still wearing gloves, then remove them is incorrect because hands should be washed after removing gloves, not before; washing gloves does not clean hands.

Question 2

A nurse aide is preparing to assist a resident with perineal care. The nurse aide gathers supplies, enters the room, and closes the privacy curtain. Which action should the nurse aide take next?

Accepted Answer

Wash hands. Wash hands is correct. Hand hygiene is always the first step before any patient care activity. Washing hands before putting on gloves removes microorganisms from the skin and prevents contamination. Put on gloves is incorrect because gloves should be worn, but hands must be washed before putting on gloves to prevent trapping microorganisms underneath. Position the resident is incorrect because positioning the resident is part of the procedure, but hands must be washed first, then gloves applied. Place a clean liner under the resident is incorrect because while placing a clean liner is part of the steps, hands must be washed first, then gloves applied.

Question 3

The nurse aide notices a coworker entering an airborne isolation room wearing only a surgical mask. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Remind the coworker that an N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions. Remind the coworker that an N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions is correct. Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator, which filters small airborne particles. A surgical mask does not provide adequate protection. The nurse aide should remind the coworker in a professional manner. Say nothing because it is not their responsibility is incorrect because patient and staff safety is everyone's responsibility; ignoring the error puts the coworker and others at risk. Enter the room with the coworker to provide assistance is incorrect because entering the room does not address the safety concern and would put the nurse aide at risk as well. Report the coworker to administration immediately is incorrect because a friendly reminder is appropriate first; reporting to administration should occur if the behavior continues or if the coworker refuses to comply.

Question 4

The nurse aide is about to wash their hands and notices the soap dispenser is empty. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled is correct. When soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative for hand hygiene. The nurse aide should also report the empty soap dispenser so it can be refilled. Rinse hands with water only is incorrect because rinsing with water alone does not effectively remove microorganisms. Skip hand hygiene this one time is incorrect because hand hygiene should never be skipped; an alternative method must be used. Wipe hands on a clean towel is incorrect because wiping hands on a towel does not remove microorganisms and may spread contamination.

Question 5

A nurse aide is assisting with wound care and notices that the dressing package is torn. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Obtain a new dressing package. Obtain a new dressing package is correct. A torn package means the contents may no longer be clean. The nurse aide should discard the compromised package and obtain a new dressing. Use the dressing if the inside appears clean is incorrect because a torn package should not be used even if the contents appear clean; microorganisms are not visible. Report the torn package to the supply department only is incorrect because reporting alone does not address the immediate need for a new dressing. Tape the package closed and proceed with the dressing change is incorrect because taping the package does not restore cleanliness; the contents are already potentially contaminated.

Question 6

A nurse aide is caring for a resident in protective isolation due to a weakened immune system. Which action is most important to protect this resident?

Accepted Answer

Wear a mask to protect the resident from the nurse aide's respiratory germs. Wear a mask to protect the resident from the nurse aide's respiratory germs is correct. In protective isolation, the goal is to protect the immunocompromised resident from outside microorganisms. The nurse aide wears a mask to prevent transmitting respiratory germs to the resident. Allow visitors without restriction to support the resident's emotional health is incorrect because visitors are typically restricted in protective isolation to reduce the resident's exposure to pathogens. Bring fresh flowers to brighten the resident's room is incorrect because fresh flowers and plants may harbor bacteria and fungi that could infect an immunocompromised resident and are usually prohibited. Keep the door open to allow for better air circulation is incorrect because the door should remain closed to control the environment and limit the resident's exposure to airborne microorganisms.

Question 7

The nurse aide is about to enter the room of a resident who is on droplet precautions. Which personal protective equipment is required?

Accepted Answer

Surgical mask. Surgical mask is correct. Droplet precautions require a surgical mask to protect against large respiratory droplets that travel short distances. Droplet precautions are used for illnesses like influenza and pertussis. Gown and gloves only is incorrect because gown and gloves alone do not protect against droplet transmission through the respiratory system, but should be worn if contact with body fluids is probable. N95 respirator is incorrect because an N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions. Airborne precautions are used for diseases like tuberculosis. Sterile gloves and gown is incorrect because sterile gloves are not required for droplet precautions; sterile technique is used for specific procedures, not routine care.

Question 8

The nurse aide is cleaning a resident's room. In which direction should surfaces be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

From clean areas to dirty areas. From clean areas to dirty areas is correct. Cleaning should always proceed from clean areas to dirty areas to prevent spreading microorganisms to cleaner surfaces. This principle applies to both environmental cleaning and patient care. From dirty areas to clean areas is incorrect because cleaning from dirty to clean areas spreads microorganisms to areas that were previously clean. In a circular motion covering all areas is incorrect because circular motion does not follow the clean-to-dirty principle and may spread contamination. Starting in the center and moving outward is incorrect because starting in the center does not ensure that clean areas are addressed before dirty areas.

Question 9

The nurse aide is preparing to take vital signs on several residents. Which action best prevents the spread of infection between residents?

Accepted Answer

Clean the stethoscope and wash hands between each resident. Clean the stethoscope and wash hands between each resident is correct. Hand hygiene between residents and cleaning shared equipment prevents cross-contamination. The stethoscope must be disinfected between uses on different residents. Wear the same pair of gloves for all residents to save time is incorrect because the same gloves should never be worn between residents; this transfers microorganisms from one resident to another. Take vital signs on the sickest resident last is incorrect because the order of care does not replace proper hand hygiene and equipment cleaning. Use a different blood pressure cuff for each resident is incorrect because while dedicated equipment may be used for residents on isolation precautions, cleaning equipment and washing hands is the standard practice for routine vital signs.

Question 10

The nurse aide is caring for a resident who has diarrhea. Which type of transmission-based precautions may be required in addition to standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions. Contact precautions is correct. Contact precautions are used when there is a risk of transmission through direct or indirect contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces. Many causes of infectious diarrhea, such as C. difficile, require contact precautions. Airborne precautions is incorrect because airborne precautions are for diseases spread through tiny particles that remain suspended in air, such as tuberculosis. Droplet precautions is incorrect because droplet precautions are for diseases spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza. Reverse isolation precautions is incorrect because reverse isolation precautions protect the resident from being contaminated by others, not the other way around.

Question 11

When should the nurse aide wash their hands?

Accepted Answer

Before and after providing care to each resident. Before and after providing care to each resident is correct. Hands must be washed before and after providing care to each resident to prevent the spread of infection. This is the most important action in infection control. Only before eating and after using the restroom is incorrect because hand hygiene is required much more frequently in healthcare settings than just before eating and after restroom use. Only when hands are visibly soiled is incorrect because microorganisms are present even when hands appear clean; hand hygiene is required regardless of visible soiling. Once at the beginning and once at the end of each shift is incorrect because washing hands only twice per shift would result in spreading microorganisms between many residents throughout the day.

Question 12

A resident sneezes into their hand and then reaches for the nurse aide's hand. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Allow the contact, then wash hands as soon as possible. Allow the contact, then wash hands as soon as possible is correct. The nurse aide should not embarrass or upset the resident. After contact with respiratory secretions, the nurse aide should wash hands as soon as possible to prevent spreading microorganisms. Pull away and tell the resident not to touch anyone is incorrect because pulling away and scolding the resident is disrespectful and may cause emotional distress. Put on gloves before allowing the resident to touch them is incorrect because taking time to put on gloves is unnecessary for this brief contact; hand hygiene afterward is sufficient. Report the resident's behavior to the charge nurse is incorrect because sneezing is normal and does not require reporting unless the resident shows signs of illness that should be documented.

Question 13

A nurse aide is caring for a resident with a urinary catheter. Which observation should be reported to the nurse immediately?

Accepted Answer

The urine appears cloudy with a strong odor. The urine appears cloudy with a strong odor is correct. Cloudy urine with a strong odor is a sign of possible urinary tract infection. This should be reported to the nurse immediately so the resident can be assessed. The urine is pale yellow and clear is incorrect because pale yellow and clear urine is normal and does not require immediate reporting. The drainage bag is below the level of the bladder is incorrect because the drainage bag should be below the level of the bladder to allow proper drainage by gravity; this is correct positioning. There is 300 mL of urine in the drainage bag is incorrect because a urine output of 300 mL is within normal range and does not require immediate reporting unless there are other concerns.

Question 14

A nurse aide accidentally splashes a resident's blood on their forearm. The nurse aide's skin is intact. What should the nurse aide do first?

Accepted Answer

Immediately wash the area with soap and water. Immediately wash the area with soap and water is correct. Any exposure to blood or body fluids requires immediate washing with soap and water, even if the skin appears intact. This should be followed by reporting the incident per facility policy. Continue providing care and wash the area later is incorrect because delaying washing increases the risk of exposure if there are any small breaks in the skin. Apply a bandage to the area is incorrect because a bandage does not remove the blood or reduce exposure risk. Ask the resident if they have any bloodborne diseases is incorrect because asking the resident about their health status does not address the immediate need to wash the area; exposure protocols should be followed regardless.

Question 15

The nurse aide is changing the linens on a resident's bed. Where should the soiled linens be placed?

Accepted Answer

In a designated soiled linen container or bag. In a designated soiled linen container or bag is correct. Soiled linens should be placed directly into a designated soiled linen container or bag to prevent the spread of microorganisms. The bag should be available before beginning linen changes. On the floor temporarily until a linen bag is available is incorrect because placing linens on the floor contaminates the floor and the linens, increasing infection risk. In the clean linen cart for transport to laundry is incorrect because soiled linens must never be placed with clean linens; this would contaminate all the clean items. Carry the linens down the hall to the soiled utility room is incorrect because soiled linen should not be carried out of the room until placed in a soiled linen bag to prevent the spread of organisms.

Question 16

A nurse aide removes their gown after caring for a resident on isolation precautions. Where should the gown be discarded?

Accepted Answer

In the designated container inside the resident's room before leaving. In the designated container inside the resident's room before leaving is correct. Isolation gowns should be removed and discarded in the designated container inside the resident's room before the nurse aide exits. This prevents contamination from leaving the isolation area. In the regular trash outside the resident's room is incorrect because carrying the gown outside the room would spread contamination to the hallway and common areas. Placed in the soiled linen hamper to be washed is incorrect because disposable isolation gowns should be discarded, not placed with linens; reusable gowns follow specific handling procedures determined by facility policy. Hung on the door to be reused for the next entry is incorrect because isolation gowns should not be reused; a fresh gown is required for each entry to maintain proper isolation technique.

Question 17

While feeding a resident, the nurse aide notices white patches on the resident's tongue and on the insides of the mouth. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Report the observation to the nurse before feeding. Report the observation to the nurse before feeding is correct. The nurse aide should report any unusual or concerning observations to the nurse before feeding. The nurse can assess the resident and determine if any special interventions are needed. This could be oral thrush, which may cause discomfort during eating. Proceed with feeding using standard precautions is incorrect because the nurse should be notified of this finding so the resident can be assessed. Refuse to feed the resident until the patches are treated is incorrect because refusing to feed the resident would deny basic care; the nurse will determine the care plan. Apply antifungal medication to the resident's mouth is incorrect because administering medication is not within the nurse aide's scope of practice.

Question 18

A nurse aide is assisting a resident with COPD who is on oxygen therapy. The resident asks the nurse aide to apply lotion to their dry skin. Which statement about the use of lotions for residents on oxygen therapy is correct?

Accepted Answer

Oil-based products should not be used near oxygen due to fire risk. Oil-based products should not be used near oxygen due to fire risk is correct. Oil-based and petroleum-based products are flammable and should not be used near oxygen sources due to fire risk. Water-based lotions should be used instead. This is both a safety and infection control consideration. Petroleum-based lotions are safe to use near oxygen is incorrect because petroleum-based products increase fire risk near oxygen and should be avoided. Lotion application is outside the nurse aide's scope of practice is incorrect because applying lotion is within the nurse aide's scope of practice when providing skin care. The resident should not receive lotion while on oxygen therapy is incorrect because residents on oxygen can receive lotion; the nurse aide should use water-based products.

Question 19

The nurse aide is caring for a resident who is on contact precautions for MRSA. The resident asks for a glass of water. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Remove the gown and gloves, wash hands, then get the water. Remove the gown and gloves, wash hands, then get the water is correct. The nurse aide must remove personal protective equipment and wash hands before leaving the isolation room. Wearing PPE outside the room would spread contaminated materials throughout the facility. Ask another staff member to get the water is incorrect because the nurse aide can get the water after properly removing PPE; delegating is unnecessary. Get the water while still wearing the gown and gloves is incorrect because wearing isolation PPE outside the room would contaminate common areas and spread MRSA. Tell the resident to wait until the next meal is incorrect because this denies the resident's basic needs and is a form of neglect.

Question 20

A nurse aide notices that a sharps container in a resident's room is three-quarters full. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Replace the container with a new one. Replace the container with a new one is correct. Sharps containers should be replaced when they reach the fill line, which is typically at the three-quarters mark. Overfilling increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Push the contents down to make more room is incorrect because pushing contents down creates a risk of needlestick injury from sharps inside. Continue using it until completely full is incorrect because using a sharps container beyond the fill line increases the risk of injury when disposing of items. Remove sharps and place them in a biohazard bag is incorrect because sharps should never be removed from a sharps container; this creates a significant risk of injury and exposure.

CNA Infection Control Practice Test with Answers

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This Infection Control Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Michele J. McCarthy

Molly W.

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CNA Infection Control Practice Test with Answers

Test Details

This Infection Control Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Molly W.

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