Infection Control Practice Test
8 questions on infection control. Each answer explains the reasoning and links to the federal regulation or official health guidance behind it.
- 8 questions
- Answers explained
- Sources checked November 3, 2026
Study test, not the real exam. The All CNA Classes Editorial Team wrote these questions based on official federal standards (42 CFR Part 483), CDC safety guidance, and MedlinePlus. This set focuses on infection control: CDC hand hygiene, standard precautions, and contact, droplet and airborne precautions..
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- Your hands aren't visibly dirty, and you're about to help a resident who doesn't have C. diff or norovirus. Which is the preferred way to clean your hands?
Answer: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Unless hands are visibly soiled, CDC says alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations. CDC: Clinical safety, hand hygiene for healthcare workers. - When should you wash your hands with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer?
Answer: When your hands are visibly soiled, before eating, after using the restroom, or caring for suspected C. diff. CDC says to use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled, before eating, after using the restroom, and during C. diff or norovirus care because spores resist alcohol. CDC: Clinical safety, hand hygiene for healthcare workers. - When washing hands with soap and water, how long does the CDC recommend scrubbing all hand surfaces with friction?
Answer: At least 15 seconds. CDC says to rub hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. It notes that others recommend 20 seconds and that either time is acceptable. CDC: Clinical safety, hand hygiene for healthcare workers. - You've just taken off your gloves after helping a resident to the toilet. What next?
Answer: Clean your hands immediately. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. CDC says to always clean your hands after removing gloves, and to change gloves between patients. CDC: Clinical safety, hand hygiene for healthcare workers. - Who should standard precautions, such as hand hygiene and gloves when you may touch body fluids, be used for?
Answer: Every resident, in all care settings. CDC says Standard Precautions are used for all patient care, not just for people known to have an infection. CDC: Standard Precautions. - A resident has active Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required under Contact Precautions upon entering the room?
Answer: Gown and gloves. CDC Contact Precautions require donning a clean gown and gloves before entering the room to prevent transfer of infectious organisms to skin or clothing. CDC: Transmission-Based Precautions. - A resident is on Droplet Precautions for influenza. What does CDC say staff should put on when entering the room?
Answer: A mask (such as a surgical face mask). For Droplet Precautions, CDC says staff should put on a mask on entry into the patient room or space, and a mask is put on the patient for source control. CDC: Transmission-Based Precautions. - Which type of room and respiratory protection is required for Airborne Precautions (such as suspected pulmonary tuberculosis)?
Answer: An airborne infection isolation room and a fit-tested N95 or higher respirator. For Airborne Precautions, CDC calls for an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) and a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N95 or higher-level respirator for staff. CDC: Transmission-Based Precautions.