Original DHA nursing questions on infection prevention & control, with explanations.
Short answer: 10 original multiple-choice practice questions on infection prevention & control for nurses preparing for the DHA licensing exam, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. This is a Meddex topic, not a DHA heading. They are original and are not real exam items.
About these questions
Every question here is original. Meddex wrote it for exam preparation. None is a real, recalled or leaked exam item, and none comes from DHA, Prometric, UAE University or the NIHS.
Meddex is independent and is not affiliated with DHA, Prometric, UAE University or the NIHS.
Clinical review of the question bank is not complete yet. Treat the explanations as study aids and check official guidance before you rely on a fact.
This is a sample, not the whole bank, and doing well on it does not predict an exam result.
What infection control covers
Standard and transmission-based precautions, sterilisation and outbreaks.
Match the precaution to the route. Standard precautions apply to everyone, and contact, droplet or airborne precautions go on top. Hand hygiene comes before most other steps.
Where it fits in the exam
DHA lists four coverage headings for Registered Nurse and publishes no weights. Infection Prevention & Control is one of ten Meddex domains, so it is a Meddex grouping and not a DHA heading. Its questions can appear under more than one DHA heading.
DHA does not state how many answer options its questions have or whether each has one best answer. Meddex practice items use four options with one best answer, as a practice format.
How to use these questions
Decide your answer before you press Show answer. Then read the reason for every option, including the ones you rejected. Note the idea you missed and come back to it in a few days.
Practice questions
Question 1
Infection Prevention & ControlEasy
A nurse wearing sterile gloves is about to insert a urinary catheter and touches the bedside rail while adjusting the patient's position. What should the nurse do?
AOption A: Wipe the gloves with an alcohol swab and continue the procedure
BOption B: Remove the gloves, clean the hands and put on a new sterile pair
COption C: Continue, because the catheter itself has not yet been touched
DOption D: Put a second pair of sterile gloves over the contaminated pair
Show answer for question 1
Correct answer: B. Remove the gloves, clean the hands and put on a new sterile pair
Once a sterile glove touches a non-sterile surface it is contaminated. The nurse removes the gloves, decontaminates the hands and puts on a new sterile pair before touching the catheter or sterile field. Wiping or layering gloves does not restore sterility, and starting with contaminated gloves risks catheter-associated urinary infection.
Why A is wrong. Alcohol on a glove does not make it sterile again.
Why C is wrong. The gloves, not only the catheter, must be sterile before the sterile field is handled.
Why D is wrong. A new pair over a contaminated pair can transfer organisms during donning and does not restore a sterile technique.
Topic: Sterile technique - contaminated glove during catheter insertion. Reference: WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care; Potter and Perry Fundamentals of Nursing
Question 2
Infection Prevention & ControlEasy
A nurse is about to enter the room of a patient on contact and droplet precautions. Which donning order is CORRECT?
AOption A: Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, so that the hands are protected while the other items are fitted
BOption B: Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
COption C: Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask
DOption D: Gown, mask or respirator, eye protection, gloves
Show answer for question 2
Correct answer: D. Gown, mask or respirator, eye protection, gloves
The usual donning order after hand hygiene is gown, mask or respirator, eye protection and finally gloves, so that gloves cover the gown cuffs and are the last item touched before entering the room. Putting gloves on first leads to contamination of them while fitting other items.
Why A is wrong. Gloves first are contaminated while the other items are put on and will not cover the gown cuffs.
Why B is wrong. Gloves before the gown mean the cuffs are not covered.
Why C is wrong. Gloves before the mask are touched while adjusting the face piece.
Topic: PPE donning sequence. Reference: CDC Sequence for putting on personal protective equipment; WHO Guidance on personal protective equipment in health care
Question 3
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics has had three watery, unformed stools in 24 hours with no laxatives. The nurse is about to send a stool sample for Clostridioides difficile testing. Which sample is appropriate?
AOption A: A formed stool, because spores are most concentrated in it
BOption B: A fresh unformed stool that takes the shape of the container, sent to the laboratory promptly
COption C: A stool sample collected from the toilet bowl water
DOption D: A sample kept on the ward and sent at the end of the week with other specimens
Show answer for question 3
Correct answer: B. A fresh unformed stool that takes the shape of the container, sent to the laboratory promptly
Testing is recommended for new, unexplained diarrhoea where the stool takes the shape of the container (Bristol Stool Chart types 5 to 7), commonly three or more in 24 hours and without laxatives. Testing formed stool detects carriers rather than disease. The sample is sent promptly in a clean container, and the patient is isolated in a single room with contact precautions and soap-and-water hand hygiene while the result is awaited.
Why A is wrong. Formed stool shows carriage and not disease, so it is not tested.
Why C is wrong. A sample from toilet water is contaminated and unreliable.
Why D is wrong. Delaying the sample and the result delays treatment and isolation decisions.
Topic: Stool sample for Clostridioides difficile testing. Reference: SHEA and IDSA Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridioides difficile infection; UK Health Security Agency guidance on Clostridioides difficile infection
Question 4
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A nurse is about to give an intravenous flush through a needleless connector on a peripheral cannula. Which preparation is MOST appropriate?
AOption A: Flush the connector first and disinfect it afterwards to clean the hub of any residue
BOption B: Use a dry gauze swab to remove visible dirt only, then flush the line
COption C: Scrub the connector with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol wipe for the time in policy, and let it dry
DOption D: Wipe it once briefly and flush straight away while it is still wet
Show answer for question 4
Correct answer: C. Scrub the connector with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol wipe for the time in policy, and let it dry
The hub of a needleless connector is a route for bacteria to reach the bloodstream. It is decontaminated with an alcohol-based antiseptic, with friction for the time set by policy, and left to dry fully so that the antiseptic is effective, before any flush or drug is connected. Single-use sterile syringes and flushes and a clean working surface are also part of aseptic non-touch technique.
Why A is wrong. Disinfection must come before the flush, because the flush carries organisms into the line.
Why B is wrong. A dry swab does not disinfect the hub.
Why D is wrong. A brief wipe with a wet hub leaves the antiseptic ineffective and bacteria in place.
Topic: Disinfecting a needleless connector. Reference: epic3: national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England; Infusion Nurses Society Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice
Question 5
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A peripheral cannula has been in place for four days. The site is clean, pain-free and not red or swollen, it flushes easily and the infusion is still needed. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
AOption A: Remove it now, because every cannula must be replaced after 72 hours whatever the site looks like
BOption B: Leave it in place and continue to inspect the site at least every shift, replacing it only when clinically indicated
COption C: Remove it and re-site it every morning to prevent infection and keep the site fresh
DOption D: Stop inspecting the site, because it has not caused problems so far, and record that it needs no further checks
Show answer for question 5
Correct answer: B. Leave it in place and continue to inspect the site at least every shift, replacing it only when clinically indicated
Trials show that replacing peripheral cannulas only when clinically indicated, rather than routinely every 72 to 96 hours, does not increase phlebitis or infection and avoids unnecessary re-insertion. The site is inspected regularly with a visual phlebitis score, and the cannula is removed promptly for pain, redness, swelling, a palpable cord, leakage or when it is no longer needed. Policies vary locally, so the nurse follows the unit policy.
Why A is wrong. Routine replacement at 72 hours is not required when the site is healthy, although some policies still use it.
Why C is wrong. Daily re-siting causes avoidable pain and trauma and does not reduce infection.
Why D is wrong. Regular inspection is essential, because complications can start at any time.
Topic: Routine cannula replacement versus clinical indication. Reference: Rickard and colleagues: routine versus clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters (The Lancet); World Health Organization guidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters
Question 6
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A nurse is wearing gloves to clean a patient's soiled perineal area. She now needs to flush the same patient's peripheral cannula. What should she do before the flush?
AOption A: Clean her hands while still wearing the gloves, then continue with the same pair
BOption B: Keep the same gloves on and flush the cannula, because the organisms come from the patient's own body
COption C: Keep the same gloves on and wipe them with an alcohol swab, because the patient is the same
DOption D: Remove the gloves, clean her hands and put on a new pair
Show answer for question 6
Correct answer: D. Remove the gloves, clean her hands and put on a new pair
Hand hygiene is needed when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site on the same patient, and before an aseptic task such as accessing a cannula. Gloves are removed, hands are cleaned with alcohol hand rub or soap and water, and a new pair is put on. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, and they cannot be cleaned and reused.
Why A is wrong. Gloves must be changed between tasks, and hand hygiene is done after removing them, not over them.
Why B is wrong. A patient's own bowel organisms can still cause a bloodstream infection if carried to a cannula.
Why C is wrong. Alcohol swabs are not a way to decontaminate gloves, and used gloves carry organisms to the cannula.
Topic: Hand hygiene: glove change on the same patient. Reference: WHO. Guidelines on hand hygiene in health care, 2009 (My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene); WHO. Glove use information leaflet, 2009
Question 7
Infection Prevention & ControlEasy
A man with a productive cough and a temperature of 38.2 C arrives at a busy outpatient clinic and sits in a crowded waiting area. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
AOption A: Offer a surgical mask, show him how to cover coughs with a tissue and seat him apart from other patients
BOption B: Give him an N95 respirator to wear in the waiting area, because any cough spreads infection through the air
COption C: Ask him to wait outside the building until a doctor is free, because the waiting area is shared
DOption D: Place a box of tissues beside him and carry on, because a tissue alone is enough to stop spread
Show answer for question 7
Correct answer: A. Offer a surgical mask, show him how to cover coughs with a tissue and seat him apart from other patients
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette are part of standard precautions. A person with respiratory symptoms is given a surgical mask if tolerated, is shown how to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue and to clean hands afterwards, and is seated away from others (at least about 1 metre). An N95 respirator is for airborne infections and for staff protection, not for every cough. Sending a sick patient outside delays care and is not needed.
Why B is wrong. Respirators are kept for airborne infections, and a surgical mask is enough for ordinary cough source control.
Why C is wrong. Waiting outside delays assessment and can be unsafe, and masking and spacing already control the risk.
Why D is wrong. Tissues help, but a coughing patient also needs a mask, hand hygiene and separation from others.
Topic: Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Reference: WHO. Standard precautions in health care, aide-memoire, 2007; CDC. Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings, 2007 (updated 2019)
Question 8
Infection Prevention & ControlEasy
A nurse checks an antibiotic prescription for a patient admitted yesterday with pneumonia. Which entry on the prescription best supports antimicrobial stewardship?
AOption A: A documented indication with a review or stop date
BOption B: The time of each dose, with the nurse's signature after each administration
COption C: A note that the course will last until discharge
DOption D: The broadest-spectrum drug, so that every likely organism is covered
Show answer for question 8
Correct answer: A. A documented indication with a review or stop date
Stewardship programmes ask prescribers to record the indication and a clear review or stop date on every antimicrobial prescription, and to review it at 48 to 72 hours once culture results are known. This helps the team to stop, narrow or switch the drug in time. Open-ended courses and routine broad-spectrum choices increase resistance and adverse effects, and recording administration times is good practice but is not stewardship.
Why B is wrong. Accurate administration records matter for safety, but they do not show why or for how long it is prescribed.
Why C is wrong. A course linked to discharge has no clinical review point and may run longer than needed.
Why D is wrong. Broad-spectrum use without review favours resistance and is not a stewardship principle.
Topic: Antimicrobial stewardship: indication and review date on the antibiotic chart. Reference: UK Health Security Agency. Antimicrobial stewardship: Start Smart then Focus, 2015 (updated 2023); WHO. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in health-care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: a WHO practical toolkit, 2019
Question 9
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A patient is admitted with a vesicular rash diagnosed as chickenpox. A nurse on the ward has no history of chickenpox and has never been vaccinated. What is the MOST appropriate decision?
AOption A: She may care for the patient if she wears a surgical mask, gown and gloves throughout
BOption B: She should not care for the patient; only immune staff should, using airborne and contact precautions
COption C: Immunity is not relevant for staff, because chickenpox is mild and rarely serious in adults
DOption D: She may care for the patient if she washes her hands carefully before and after each contact and uses an apron
Show answer for question 9
Correct answer: B. She should not care for the patient; only immune staff should, using airborne and contact precautions
Varicella spreads by the airborne route and by contact with vesicle fluid, so patients are placed in a single room with airborne and contact precautions. Only staff with documented immunity, from vaccination or confirmed past infection, should care for them, because non-immune staff risk severe illness and can transmit infection to pregnant or immunocompromised patients.
Why A is wrong. A surgical mask does not protect against airborne spread, so a non-immune nurse remains at risk.
Why C is wrong. Staff immunity is a key control measure, since adult varicella can be severe and non-immune staff can spread infection to vulnerable patients.
Why D is wrong. Hand hygiene and an apron do not prevent airborne transmission to a non-immune nurse.
Topic: Varicella and staff immunity. Reference: CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions; CDC Immunization of Health-Care Personnel
Question 10
Infection Prevention & ControlMedium
A charge nurse is allocating staff to a patient with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis. A nurse with a full beard says he passed a respirator fit test last year, when he was clean-shaven, and that he will do a user seal check each time. What should the charge nurse do?
AOption A: Allow him, with a surgical mask worn over the respirator to cover the gap
BOption B: Allow him, because last year's fit test remains valid for the same respirator model
COption C: Allocate another nurse, or have him shave and be fit-tested again
DOption D: Allow him, because a seal check at each use shows that the respirator fits
Show answer for question 10
Correct answer: C. Allocate another nurse, or have him shave and be fit-tested again
Hair along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator allows air to leak, so a fit test cannot be passed reliably and a user seal check cannot make up for it. A fit test is valid only while the wearer's face is unchanged. The charge nurse should assign another nurse, or the nurse may shave and be retested.
Why A is wrong. A surgical mask over a respirator does not close the gap and may worsen the fit.
Why B is wrong. A fit test holds only while the face is unchanged, and a beard changes it.
Why D is wrong. A seal check is done at every use but cannot overcome leaks caused by facial hair.
Topic: Airborne precautions: respirator use with facial hair. Reference: OSHA. Respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) facepiece seal protection and paragraph (f) fit testing
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Frequently asked questions
DHA does not publish how many questions come from each topic. It lists four coverage headings for Registered Nurse with no weights. Meddex groups its questions into ten domains of its own.
No. They are original practice questions written by Meddex for exam preparation. DHA does not publish sample questions, and its Assessment Manual says sharing assessment questions is not allowed, so we do not use or claim real or recalled items.
The Meddex app has the full bank, which you can practise by topic with a free account. These pages are a short sample, and the questions on them do not change.
No. Each question has a Show answer button. The answer, the explanation and the reason each wrong option is wrong are part of the page text, so they are there when you press it.