Safety and Infection Prevention and Control NCLEX-PN practice questions
- of the exam
- 10–16% of the exam
- Client Needs category
- Safe and Effective Care Environment Client Needs category
- last updated
- October 2026 last updated
This category covers how the practical nurse protects clients and staff from health and environmental hazards. Expect items on safe handling, equipment that is not working, incident reports, restraints, disaster response, and the principles of infection control.
Updated October 2026
Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
5 free safety and infection prevention and control questions
Playable here, no account. Rationales expand in place.
Safety and Infection Prevention and Control · free set
1 of 5A practical nurse is assisting a client who had a right total hip arthroplasty two days ago to transfer from the bed to a bedside chair. The client weighs 210 lb (95.3 kg) and requires moderate assistance. Which action by the practical nurse best demonstrates safe client handling technique?
Rationale
Safe body mechanics require a wide base of support (feet shoulder-width apart), lowering the center of gravity by bending the knees rather than the waist, maintaining a straight back, and keeping the load as close to the body as possible. These principles distribute the client's weight safely and reduce lumbar injury risk for the nurse. Option A: Extending the arms away from the body increases the lever-arm distance and multiplies the effective load on the nurse's spine, greatly increasing injury risk. Option B: Twisting the torso while bearing a load is a primary cause of back injury; the nurse should pivot with the feet rather than rotate the spine. Option C: Rising onto the balls of the feet narrows the base of support and raises the center of gravity, reducing stability and increasing the likelihood that both nurse and client will lose balance.
Answer: D
A practical nurse is working on a pediatric inpatient unit when the fire alarm activates and smoke is visible near the soiled utility room at the end of the hallway. Which action should the practical nurse take first?
Rationale
The first step of the RACE fire response protocol is Rescue , remove clients who are in immediate danger from the fire or smoke. Client safety is always the priority before any other action in a fire emergency. Option A: Opening windows increases airflow and can spread fire and smoke, which is dangerous and contrary to fire containment principles. Option B: Calling to confirm the fire location delays immediate client rescue; when smoke is already visible, clients must be moved first. Option D: Attempting to extinguish the fire (the 'E' step) comes after Rescue and Alarm in the RACE protocol; it should never be the first action when clients are at risk.
Answer: C
A practical nurse has reinforced discharge education to a 74-year-old male client who will be using home oxygen therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for the first time. To evaluate understanding of oxygen safety precautions, the nurse asks the client to describe what he will do at home. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
Rationale
Oxygen vigorously supports combustion. Keeping the tank and delivery equipment at least 5 feet from all heat sources, open flames, and ignition sources is a standard, evidence-based oxygen safety precaution and demonstrates correct understanding of the teaching. Option A: Smoking is contraindicated entirely during home oxygen therapy. Residual oxygen concentration in clothing and the surrounding environment remains elevated for several minutes after the flow is stopped, creating a serious fire and explosion risk even if the tank is turned off. Option B: Using a gas stove while wearing an oxygen delivery device places an ignition source in close proximity to concentrated oxygen flow, posing an immediate fire hazard. Open flames of any kind must be avoided during oxygen use. Option C: Oxygen tanks must be stored in a well-ventilated area, not enclosed spaces such as closets. Accumulation of oxygen in a confined space greatly increases the risk of fire.
Answer: D
A practical nurse on a pediatric inpatient unit is preparing to initiate continuous pulse oximetry monitoring for a 6-year-old client with pneumonia. While setting up the bedside monitor, the nurse notices that the reusable probe cable has visible fraying near the electrical connector. Which action should the practical nurse take?
Rationale
A visibly damaged electrical cable poses both an electrical safety hazard and a risk of inaccurate readings. The PN must immediately remove the device from service, label it to prevent inadvertent use by other staff, and obtain a functioning replacement unit to ensure safe, uninterrupted monitoring. Option A: Using a known-defective device places the client at risk and delays removal of the hazard from circulation. Equipment defects must be acted on immediately, not deferred to end-of-shift documentation. Option C: Waiting for biomedical engineering leaves the client without prescribed monitoring when a replacement unit can be obtained from available floor stock immediately. Waiting is not necessary before obtaining a replacement. Option D: Adhesive tape does not restore electrical insulation; using a frayed cable exposes the client and staff to electrical injury risk and does not ensure accurate monitoring.
Answer: B
A practical nurse in an outpatient neurology clinic is reinforcing safety precautions to a 26-year-old female client who has been newly diagnosed with generalized tonic-clonic seizures and started on antiepileptic medication. Which instructions should the practical nurse reinforce? Select all that apply.
Rationale
Showering (rather than bathing) with a non-skid mat reduces drowning risk if a seizure occurs unwitnessed. A medical identification bracelet enables bystanders and emergency responders to provide appropriate care. Avoiding heavy machinery until the provider confirms seizure control protects the client and others. Removing area rugs and sharp furniture reduces the risk of traumatic injury during a seizure at home. These are standard seizure safety measures that the PN reinforces per the established teaching plan. Option A: Antiepileptic medications must never be discontinued without provider guidance; stopping after only two weeks of seizure freedom can precipitate dangerous rebound seizures, including status epilepticus. Option B: Resuming driving 48 hours after a seizure is unsafe and does not meet most state licensure laws, which typically require a provider-directed seizure-free period of several months; the PN must not reinforce this unsafe instruction.
Answer: C, D, E, F
2026 test plan
What Safety and Infection Prevention and Control covers
A selection of the activities NCSBN lists for this category, in plain words.
- Safe client handling and transfer devices
- Removing faulty equipment from use
- Verifying client identity and allergies
- Least restrictive restraints and timed safety checks
- Fire, disaster and security alerts
- PPE, aseptic technique, isolation and standard precautions
How to answer these
Remove the hazard first, then report it. An answer that keeps using unsafe equipment or delays a report is almost never right.
Other NCLEX-PN categories
Coordinated Care
18–24% of the exam →
Health Promotion and Maintenance
6–12% of the exam →
Psychosocial Integrity
9–15% of the exam →
Basic Care and Comfort
7–13% of the exam →
Pharmacological Therapies
10–16% of the exam →
Reduction of Risk Potential
9–15% of the exam →
Physiological Adaptation
7–13% of the exam →
Keep practising safety and infection prevention and control.
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Free NCLEX-PN practice questions with rationales