Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a group of clients on an infectious disease unit.
The nurse should wear an N95 respirator mask when caring for a client who has which of the following disorders?
A. Scabies.
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by mites, and it does not require airborne precautions. Standard precautions, such as gloves and hand hygiene, are sufficient.
B. Mycoplasmal pneumonia.
Mycoplasmal pneumonia is typically spread through droplets, and a regular surgical mask is usually adequate for protection.
C. Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease, and healthcare workers need to wear an N95 respirator to protect themselves from inhaling the bacteria.
D. Scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever is spread through respiratory droplets, but it does not require airborne precautions. Standard precautions are usually enough.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Nursing Fundamentals Exam 3. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C. Tuberculosis.
Choice A rationale:
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by mites, and it does not require airborne precautions. Standard precautions, such as gloves and hand hygiene, are sufficient.
Choice B rationale:
Mycoplasmal pneumonia is typically spread through droplets, and a regular surgical mask is usually adequate for protection.
Choice C rationale:
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease, and healthcare workers need to wear an N95 respirator to protect themselves from inhaling the bacteria.
Choice D rationale:
Scarlet fever is spread through respiratory droplets, but it does not require airborne precautions. Standard precautions are usually enough.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for several hospitalized clients.
Contact precautions would be mandated for the client with which diagnosis?
A. Hepatitis B.
Placing the sterile pack on a clean surface is a good practice but does not ensure the maintenance of sterility. Sterile items should be placed on a sterile surface or field to prevent contamination. Placing the pack on a clean surface may still expose it to potential contaminants, compromising its sterility.
B. Measles.
Turning the pack so that the first flap faces the nurse's body is incorrect. The first flap should be opened away from the nurse to avoid the risk of contamination. By opening the flap away from the nurse, any potential contaminants in the air are less likely to come into contact with the sterile contents.
C. Meningitis.
Opening the right-side flap first is not a standard practice for opening a sterile pack. The choice of which side to open first may vary based on individual preference or the design of the packaging. The key factor is to maintain the sterility of the contents by handling the pack appropriately, as mentioned in choice D.
D. Infectious diarrhea.
When preparing to open a sterile pack, the nurse must touch only the inner surface of the inner wrapper to maintain sterility. This is a fundamental principle of aseptic technique. Sterile items should be handled with care to prevent contamination. By touching only the inner surface of the inner wrapper, the nurse ensures that the contents of the pack remain sterile and safe for use in medical procedures. Any contact with the outer surface or other non-sterile items can compromise the sterility of the contents.
Full Explanation
Choice D rationale:
When preparing to open a sterile pack, the nurse must touch only the inner surface of the inner wrapper to maintain sterility. This is a fundamental principle of aseptic technique. Sterile items should be handled with care to prevent contamination. By touching only the inner surface of the inner wrapper, the nurse ensures that the contents of the pack remain sterile and safe for use in medical procedures. Any contact with the outer surface or other non-sterile items can compromise the sterility of the contents.
Choice A rationale:
Placing the sterile pack on a clean surface is a good practice but does not ensure the maintenance of sterility. Sterile items should be placed on a sterile surface or field to prevent contamination. Placing the pack on a clean surface may still expose it to potential contaminants, compromising its sterility.
Choice B rationale:
Turning the pack so that the first flap faces the nurse's body is incorrect. The first flap should be opened away from the nurse to avoid the risk of contamination. By opening the flap away from the nurse, any potential contaminants in the air are less likely to come into contact with the sterile contents.
Choice C rationale:
Opening the right-side flap first is not a standard practice for opening a sterile pack. The choice of which side to open first may vary based on individual preference or the design of the packaging. The key factor is to maintain the sterility of the contents by handling the pack appropriately, as mentioned in choice D.
A client has a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) This terminology means what?
A. The client became infected due to compromised immunity.
The anterior surface of the drape is not the correct choice because it includes the central sterile area, which should never be touched by the nurse. Touching the central sterile area contaminates the field.
B. The client was infected during a therapeutic procedure.
The outer 1-inch border of the drape is the correct choice for the nurse to touch. This border is considered non-sterile and can be handled without contaminating the sterile field. It acts as a barrier, preventing contaminants from reaching the central sterile area.
C. The client inhaled pathogens in a healthcare setting.
The top inner corners of the drape are part of the central sterile area and should not be touched by the nurse. Touching this area would contaminate the sterile field.
D. The client acquired the infection while hospitalized.
The posterior aspect of the drape is not the correct choice because it is part of the central sterile area. Touching this area would contaminate the sterile field. When preparing a sterile field, it is essential for the nurse to follow strict aseptic techniques to maintain the sterility of the field. This includes touching only the designated non-sterile areas, such as the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape, to avoid contamination.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The anterior surface of the drape is not the correct choice because it includes the central sterile area, which should never be touched by the nurse. Touching the central sterile area contaminates the field.
Choice B rationale:
The outer 1-inch border of the drape is the correct choice for the nurse to touch. This border is considered non-sterile and can be handled without contaminating the sterile field. It acts as a barrier, preventing contaminants from reaching the central sterile area.
Choice C rationale:
The top inner corners of the drape are part of the central sterile area and should not be touched by the nurse. Touching this area would contaminate the sterile field.
Choice D rationale:
The posterior aspect of the drape is not the correct choice because it is part of the central sterile area. Touching this area would contaminate the sterile field. When preparing a sterile field, it is essential for the nurse to follow strict aseptic techniques to maintain the sterility of the field. This includes touching only the designated non-sterile areas, such as the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape, to avoid contamination.
When using standard precautions, the nurse knows that standard precautions mandate what?
A. Rinsing gloves that become visibly soiled during use.
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. While it is contagious, it does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves, are sufficient when caring for a client with scabies.
B. Using antimicrobial soap for routine handwashing.
Mycoplasmal pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is typically spread through respiratory droplets and does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing a mask, are appropriate for this condition.
C. Disinfecting hands immediately after removing gloves.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent the inhalation of TB bacteria, healthcare workers should wear N95 respirator masks (or higher level respirators) when caring for clients with active TB disease.
D. Keeping gloves on when touching environmental surfaces.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and is typically treated with antibiotics. Scarlet fever does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves and a mask, are appropriate when caring for a client with scarlet fever. Wearing an N95 respirator mask is crucial when caring for clients with airborne infectious diseases like tuberculosis. This type of mask is designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, providing a high level of protection for healthcare workers.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. While it is contagious, it does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves, are sufficient when caring for a client with scabies.
Choice B rationale:
Mycoplasmal pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is typically spread through respiratory droplets and does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing a mask, are appropriate for this condition.
Choice C rationale:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent the inhalation of TB bacteria, healthcare workers should wear N95 respirator masks (or higher level respirators) when caring for clients with active TB disease.
Choice D rationale:
Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and is typically treated with antibiotics. Scarlet fever does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves and a mask, are appropriate when caring for a client with scarlet fever. Wearing an N95 respirator mask is crucial when caring for clients with airborne infectious diseases like tuberculosis. This type of mask is designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, providing a high level of protection for healthcare workers.