NACC PSW Practice Test: Infection Control and Safety (15 Questions)

Infection control and safety are two of the most heavily tested areas on the PSW exam. Use this focused drill to find your weak spots, then review the answer key.

Questions

1. The correct order for putting ON PPE is:
   A) Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection  B) Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves  C) Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection  D) Any order is fine
2. A client has C. difficile. For hand hygiene you should use:
   A) Alcohol-based hand rub  B) Soap and water  C) Gloves only, no washing needed  D) A quick rinse
3. Used needles and razors belong in:
   A) The regular garbage, wrapped in tissue  B) A puncture-resistant sharps container  C) The recycling bin  D) A plastic bag
4. WHMIS exists to:
   A) Track staff attendance  B) Give information about hazardous products through labels and safety data sheets  C) Schedule fire drills  D) List client allergies
5. Contact precautions usually require:
   A) N95 respirator  B) Gown and gloves  C) No PPE  D) Face shield only
6. Droplet precautions are used for illnesses like influenza. They typically include:
   A) A mask when working close to the client  B) No special measures  C) Sterile gloves at all times  D) Shoe covers only
7. Alcohol-based hand rub is appropriate when:
   A) Hands are visibly soiled  B) Hands are NOT visibly soiled  C) Caring for a client with C. difficile  D) You have no time to do anything else
8. You should change gloves:
   A) Once per shift  B) Between clients and between dirty and clean tasks  C) Only when torn  D) Only for wound care
9. When handling soiled linens:
   A) Shake them out first  B) Hold them close to your uniform  C) Hold them away from your body and never shake them  D) Place them on the floor temporarily
10. You see water spilled on the hallway floor. You should:
    A) Step over it and continue  B) Wipe it up or secure the area immediately  C) Report it at the end of shift  D) Assume housekeeping will find it
11. Before leaving a client's room, the bed should be:
    A) At working height with rails down  B) In the lowest position with brakes locked and call bell within reach  C) However it was when you arrived  D) Elevated so the client can see the TV
12. You notice a frayed cord on a client's kettle. You should:
    A) Use it carefully  B) Tape it up  C) Stop using it, remove it from use, and report it  D) Ignore it — not your equipment
13. When applying a warm compress, you should:
    A) Make it as hot as possible  B) Check the temperature, follow the care plan, and check the skin often  C) Leave it on indefinitely  D) Apply it directly to broken skin
14. A body fluid spill should be cleaned:
    A) With bare hands and paper towel  B) Wearing gloves, following your facility's spill procedure  C) Only by a nurse  D) After it dries
15. The "chain of infection" is broken most easily by:
    A) Antibiotics  B) Hand hygiene and routine practices  C) Keeping windows closed  D) Wearing two pairs of gloves

Answer Key

1. B — Don: gown → mask → eye protection → gloves. (Doffing starts with gloves.)
2. B — Alcohol rub does not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water is required.
3. B — Sharps go in a puncture-resistant container; never recap needles.
4. B — WHMIS provides hazard information via labels and safety data sheets.
5. B — Contact precautions: gown and gloves for direct contact.
6. A — Wear a mask when providing close care under droplet precautions.
7. B — Rub is fine for unsoiled hands; visible soil or C. diff means soap and water.
8. B — Fresh gloves between clients and tasks, with hand hygiene at each change.
9. C — Away from your body, never shaken, straight into the laundry bag.
10. B — Slips and falls are immediate hazards; act right away.
11. B — Lowest position, brakes locked, call bell within reach — every time.
12. C — Faulty equipment is removed from use and reported.
13. B — Heat can burn fragile skin; check temperature, time limits, and skin.
14. B — Gloves on, follow the spill procedure, disinfect, then hand hygiene.
15. B — Consistent hand hygiene and routine practices break the chain.