Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
NCLEX-PN® practice.

Free practice set · 4 questions

4 more free safety and infection prevention and control NCLEX-PN® practice questions

Real questions from the same bank the app serves. Pick an answer in your head, then open the rationale to see why the correct option holds and why each other option falls short. No account needed for these.

1. Question 1 of 4 · Infection Prevention & Patient Safety

   A 32-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes arrives at the outpatient clinic for a routine glucose check before her scheduled visit. She uses a glucometer at home daily for self-monitoring. The LPN retrieves the clinic's glucometer to perform a point-of-care fingerstick and notices the device's protective casing is cracked and the test strip port has visible dried blood residue from a prior use that was not cleaned. A second glucometer is available in the supply closet, already cleaned and calibrated for use. What should the LPN do first?

   1. AOpen the glucometer casing and attempt to repair the cracked housing before use.
   2. BRemove the soiled, cracked glucometer from service and use the clean backup device instead.
   3. CWipe the visible residue off the glucometer quickly and proceed with the fingerstick.
   4. DDocument the equipment defect in the chart before obtaining any glucose reading.
   Show the answer and rationale

   Correct answer: B. Remove the soiled, cracked glucometer from service and use the clean backup device instead.

   The key action satisfies the "inspect equipment and remove faulty devices from use" rule: the LPN must inspect equipment before use and remove any device that is damaged or contaminated from service rather than using it on the client. A cracked casing with dried blood residue represents both a mechanical hazard and a bloodborne pathogen exposure risk under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which requires prompt removal of contaminated equipment from use and appropriate decontamination or disposal before any client contact. Because a clean, calibrated backup glucometer is immediately available, the safe next step is to substitute it rather than delay client care or attempt repair. This reflects the safety-science principle of environmental hazard removal, identifying a hazard and eliminating client exposure to it immediately, rather than documenting or repairing first while the hazard remains active. Wiping the device does not address underlying contamination risk or the structural crack, so it is not an acceptable substitute for removal from service. Repairing the device internally is outside LPN scope, as equipment repair belongs to biomedical engineering. Charting the defect is appropriate but only after the client's immediate safety is secured with the backup device.

   A. Open the glucometer casing and attempt to repair the cracked housing before use.

   Internal device repair is outside LPN/VN scope and should be referred to biomedical engineering, not attempted at the bedside.

   B. Remove the soiled, cracked glucometer from service and use the clean backup device instead.

   Satisfies the "inspect equipment and remove faulty devices from use" rule by taking the contaminated, damaged device out of service and using the available clean backup, protecting the client per OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards.

   C. Wipe the visible residue off the glucometer quickly and proceed with the fingerstick.

   Wiping residue does not eliminate contamination risk or fix the cracked casing, violating the rule to remove faulty devices from use.

   D. Document the equipment defect in the chart before obtaining any glucose reading.

   Documenting before removing the hazard delays the protective action needed to prevent client exposure to a contaminated device.

2. Question 2 of 4 · Mobility, Injury & Orthopedic Care

   A 32-year-old male resident with a spinal cord injury has been in a long-term care facility for 3 weeks following a lymphedema flare that limits his mobility. He cannot bear weight on his lower extremities and requires full assistance to move. The LPN and one nursing assistant are present, and a mechanical floor lift is available on the unit. The resident needs to be transferred from his bed to his wheelchair, which is positioned at the bedside with unlocked wheels. What should the LPN do first?

   1. ABend at the waist and twist toward the wheelchair while lifting the resident's shoulders.
   2. BHave the nursing assistant help manually lift the resident from the bed into the wheelchair.
   3. CLock the wheelchair and bed wheels, then use the mechanical lift with the nursing assistant to transfer him.
   4. DBegin transferring the resident to the wheelchair, then lock the wheels once he is seated.
   Show the answer and rationale

   Correct answer: C. Lock the wheelchair and bed wheels, then use the mechanical lift with the nursing assistant to transfer him.

   This client cannot bear weight, placing him at risk for a manual-handling injury to himself and staff if lifted by hand. OSHA safe-patient-handling guidance directs use of mechanical lift equipment rather than manual lifting when a client cannot assist or bear weight, and it requires securing (locking) beds and wheelchairs before any transfer to prevent equipment movement and falls. Locking the wheels first addresses the environmental hazard, and using the mechanical lift with a second staff member ensures adequate assistance for his weight and mobility status, satisfying the safe-body-mechanics principle of using proper equipment and sufficient help before moving a client. This also reflects safety-science practice of removing environmental hazards and verifying stable equipment before performing a task, reducing the likelihood of a reportable incident or near miss. Manually lifting him disregards the mechanical-lift indication and exceeds safe manual-handling limits. Bending and twisting at the waist violates ergonomic body-mechanics principles and risks spinal injury to the caregiver. Transferring before locking the wheels creates an unsecured, moving surface during the transfer, risking a fall, equipment must be secured first, not after the client is already in motion.

   A. Bend at the waist and twist toward the wheelchair while lifting the resident's shoulders.

   Expands the twisting-spine family; violates safe body mechanics principles requiring a wide base of support and lifting with the legs, not the back or a twisted spine.

   B. Have the nursing assistant help manually lift the resident from the bed into the wheelchair.

   Expands the manual-lift-beyond-safe-limit family; violates the rule requiring a mechanical lift for a non-weight-bearing client, risking injury to client and staff.

   C. Lock the wheelchair and bed wheels, then use the mechanical lift with the nursing assistant to transfer him.

   Satisfies both key rules: wheels are locked first (secures equipment/environment), and the mechanical lift with adequate staff is used because the client cannot bear weight.

   D. Begin transferring the resident to the wheelchair, then lock the wheels once he is seated.

   Expands the moves-without-locking-wheels family; violates the rule to secure equipment before transfer, creating an unstable, hazardous moving surface.

3. Question 3 of 4 · Neurological Emergencies & Cognition

   The LPN is caring for a 68-year-old man in a long-term-care facility on postoperative day 3 after hip repair. He has Parkinson disease, intermittent nighttime confusion, and weakness when standing; a chair alarm is used for routine fall prevention. During inspection, the alarm’s power cord is frayed and the alarm fails during a test. An inspected replacement chair alarm is available. Which action should the LPN take first?

   1. AContinue using the chair alarm until biomedical services can inspect the frayed cord.
   2. BPlace the replacement alarm, verify it activates at the appropriate setting, and remove, label, and report the faulty alarm.
   3. CNotify the charge nurse and obtain a work order before removing the faulty alarm from the client area.
   4. DSilence the failed alarm without correcting the frayed cord or replacing the faulty alarm.
   Show the answer and rationale

   Correct answer: B. Place the replacement alarm, verify it activates at the appropriate setting, and remove, label, and report the faulty alarm.

   The LPN should immediately place the inspected replacement alarm, confirm that it activates at an appropriate setting, and remove, label, and report the damaged alarm. This client has both a high fall risk and a device with a frayed cord and failed test, so the faulty equipment cannot remain available for use. The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals emphasize reducing patient harm through reliable safety systems, and safety-science practice requires environmental hazard removal, verification, and reporting of equipment failures or near misses. A life-support device is not involved; if one were, the LPN would summon the RN and provide only basic support within scope.

   A. Continue using the chair alarm until biomedical services can inspect the frayed cord.

   Continuing to use an alarm with a frayed cord and failed test exposes the client to electrical and fall hazards. A malfunctioning device must be removed from service, not used until biomedical personnel arrive.

   B. Place the replacement alarm, verify it activates at the appropriate setting, and remove, label, and report the faulty alarm.

   This is correct because the LPN removes hazardous equipment from service, replaces it with an inspected device, verifies the alarm, and reports the failure. Those steps preserve the client’s immediate fall-prevention safety net and support environmental hazard removal and near-miss reporting.

   C. Notify the charge nurse and obtain a work order before removing the faulty alarm from the client area.

   Reporting is necessary, but delaying removal while obtaining a work order leaves a damaged cord and an unreliable alarm available around a client at immediate risk of falling. The protective action comes first; labeling and reporting follow promptly.

   D. Silence the failed alarm without correcting the frayed cord or replacing the faulty alarm.

   Silencing the failed alarm without correcting the frayed cord removes the fall-prevention warning while leaving the faulty equipment in service. The nurse should use the verified replacement and report the failed alarm; repair or replacement of other equipment follows the authorized equipment process.

4. Question 4 of 4 · Mobility, Injury & Orthopedic Care

   A 52-year-old woman on a medical-surgical unit is preparing for discharge after repair of a right hip fracture. She uses a walker, has a weight-bearing restriction, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and an uncorrected left-eye cataract. The RN taught her to remove clutter, use the walker for every transfer, and avoid unassisted bathroom trips. The client says, “I understand,” but cannot explain when to call for help and has difficulty hearing the LPN/VN. What should the LPN/VN do?

   1. ALeave the client’s instructions at the bedside and continue discharge tasks without adapting communication.
   2. BDevelop and deliver a complete individualized fall-prevention plan before discharge.
   3. CReview the instructions once more and document that the client verbalized understanding.
   4. DUse the RN’s safety instructions, face the client, provide large-print cues, and request teach-back.
   Show the answer and rationale

   Correct answer: D. Use the RN’s safety instructions, face the client, provide large-print cues, and request teach-back.

   The correct action is to reinforce the RN’s safety teaching in a form the client can access and then use teach-back to identify whether she can apply it. Facing the client and using large-print cues address her hearing and vision limitations; the LPN/VN should report any remaining learning gap to the RN. This stays within practical-nurse scope: implementing and monitoring safety measures rather than originating the plan. Safety science requires identifying hazards and barriers, adapting prevention measures, and monitoring understanding; documentation or routine discharge work must not replace immediate risk reduction.

   A. Leave the client’s instructions at the bedside and continue discharge tasks without adapting communication.

   Leaving standard material without addressing hearing and vision limitations ignores a significant learning barrier and leaves fall hazards uncorrected. Safety teaching must be accessible and tailored to the client’s abilities before discharge.

   B. Develop and deliver a complete individualized fall-prevention plan before discharge.

   An LPN/VN may reinforce and monitor an established safety plan, but independently creating and delivering the complete initial plan exceeds the described role. The RN should originate the plan, while the practical nurse reports hazards or learning gaps.

   C. Review the instructions once more and document that the client verbalized understanding.

   Repeating information without asking the client to demonstrate or explain it does not establish usable understanding. Verbal agreement is insufficient when the client already cannot state when help is needed, so teach-back and reporting are required.

   D. Use the RN’s safety instructions, face the client, provide large-print cues, and request teach-back.

   This action reinforces teaching already introduced by the RN, adapts communication to the client’s sensory barriers, and uses teach-back rather than assuming comprehension. Any continuing inability to explain safe transfers or when to seek help should be reported to the RN for follow-up.