Infection control is a high-yield topic on the NCLEX because preventing and managing infections is a core responsibility for nurses. The exam frequently tests your ability to apply Standard Precautions, Transmission-Based Precautions, isolation protocols, and aseptic techniques in various clinical scenarios.

This guide will break down everything you need to know to ace infection control questions on the NCLEX, including precaution types, PPE guidelines, nursing interventions, and key mnemonics.

Understanding Infection Control Basics

Standard Precautions (For Every Patient)

Standard precautions apply to all patients, regardless of their diagnosis. These measures help prevent the spread of infection by treating all blood, bodily fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious.

Key Components:

• Hand hygiene (before and after patient contact, after removing gloves)
• PPE (gloves, mask, eye protection, gown) if exposure to body fluids is expected
• Respiratory hygiene (cough etiquette, covering sneezes)
• Needle safety (never recap needles, use sharps containers)
• Proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment

NCLEX Tip: Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent infections. Always choose “hand washing” when answering infection control questions unless another intervention is more critical.

Transmission-Based Precautions (Isolation Precautions)

When standard precautions are not enough, transmission-based precautions are used to prevent the spread of specific infectious diseases.

1. Contact Precautions

Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact with a contaminated person or surface.

Common Conditions:

• Multidrug-resistant organisms (MRSA, VRE)
• Respiratory infections (RSV)
• Skin infections (scabies, impetigo)
• Wound infections
• Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) – requires soap and water handwashing, not alcohol-based sanitizer

Isolation Room: Private room preferred
PPE: Gloves and gown

Mnemonic: “MRS. WEE” (MRS: Multidrug-resistant, Respiratory, Skin; WEE: Wound, Enteric, Eye)

2. Droplet Precautions

Used for infections spread by large respiratory droplets (greater than 5 microns) that travel short distances (within 3 to 6 feet).

Common Conditions:

• Influenza
• Mumps, Rubella
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Meningitis
• Diphtheria

Isolation Room: Private room preferred
PPE: Surgical mask (worn within 3 feet of the patient); gloves if necessary

Mnemonic: “SPIDERMAN”

• Sepsis, Scarlet fever, Strep throat
• Parvovirus B19, Pertussis, Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Diphtheria
• Epiglottitis
• Rubella
• Mumps, Meningitis
• Adenovirus

3. Airborne Precautions

Used for infections spread by tiny airborne particles (less than 5 microns) that remain suspended in the air and travel long distances.

Common Conditions:

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Measles (Rubeola)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Isolation Room: Negative-pressure room (airborne infection isolation room, AIIR)
PPE: N95 mask/respirator, gown, gloves, face shield if necessary

Mnemonic: “My Chicken Has TB”

• Measles
• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Herpes zoster (Shingles)
• Tuberculosis

Special Rule for Airborne + Contact Precautions:

• Chickenpox and Herpes Zoster (Shingles) require both airborne and contact precautions

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines

Correct PPE Order: Donning and Doffing

Donning (Putting On PPE):

1. Gown
2. Mask
3. Goggles/Face Shield
4. Gloves

Mnemonic: “Go Make Good Grades”

Doffing (Removing PPE):

1. Gloves
2. Gown
3. Goggles/Face Shield
4. Mask

Mnemonic: “Good Grades Get Money”

NCLEX Tip: Always remove the most contaminated items first (gloves and gown).

Must-Know Infection Control Nursing Interventions

Aseptic vs. Sterile Technique

• Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique): Reduces microbes (e.g., hand hygiene, gloves)
• Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique): Eliminates all microbes (e.g., catheter insertion, surgery)

NCLEX Tip: Once a sterile field is contaminated (e.g., touching a non-sterile object), start over—never try to “fix” it.

Handling Specimens and Contaminated Items

• Blood Spills: Clean with a 1:10 bleach solution
• Linen Disposal: Place contaminated linen in designated laundry bags
• Needle Safety: Never recap needles—use a sharps container immediately

NCLEX Tip: The safest way to dispose of a blood-filled syringe is to place it directly into a sharps container without recapping.

Common NCLEX Infection Control Questions and Answers

1. A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a patient with C. difficile. Which PPE is required?

Answer: Gloves and gown (Contact precautions) – Hand hygiene must be performed with soap and water, not alcohol-based sanitizer.

2. Which patient should be placed in airborne isolation?

Answer: A patient with active tuberculosis (TB) requires a negative-pressure room and an N95 mask.

3. What is the first step when removing PPE?

Answer: Remove gloves first since they are the most contaminated.

Final NCLEX Infection Control Study Tips

• Always choose hand hygiene first unless another intervention is more critical.
• Memorize isolation precautions using mnemonics.
• Know the difference between standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions.
• Understand PPE donning and doffing order.
• Learn key infection prevention strategies (sterile vs. clean technique, needle safety, patient placement).

By mastering these infection control principles, you will confidently tackle NCLEX questions and keep patients safe.