Q.1 Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing the spread of infection in healthcare settings?
Wearing gloves only
Hand hygiene
Using a face mask only
Sterilizing instruments occasionally
Explanation - Hand hygiene, including handwashing and use of alcohol-based hand rubs, is the most effective way to prevent transmission of infections.
Correct answer is: Hand hygiene
Q.2 Which type of isolation is required for a patient with tuberculosis?
Contact isolation
Droplet isolation
Airborne isolation
Protective isolation
Explanation - Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles; therefore, patients require airborne isolation with negative pressure rooms.
Correct answer is: Airborne isolation
Q.3 Autoclaving is a method of:
Disinfection
Sterilization
Sanitation
Antisepsis
Explanation - Autoclaving uses steam under pressure to destroy all microorganisms, including spores, making it a sterilization method.
Correct answer is: Sterilization
Q.4 Which of the following is considered a standard precaution in infection control?
Wearing gloves only when patient has a known infection
Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Using a mask only during surgery
Cleaning instruments weekly
Explanation - Standard precautions assume all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious, so hand hygiene is essential before and after all patient interactions.
Correct answer is: Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Q.5 What is the primary goal of aseptic technique?
To make instruments look clean
To eliminate all microorganisms in the environment
To prevent contamination of wounds and sterile areas
To reduce patient anxiety
Explanation - Aseptic technique is designed to prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the body during procedures.
Correct answer is: To prevent contamination of wounds and sterile areas
Q.6 Which of the following is an example of a nosocomial infection?
Common cold acquired at school
Influenza from a family member
Urinary tract infection after catheterization in hospital
Food poisoning from home-cooked meal
Explanation - Nosocomial infections are acquired in a hospital setting, often due to invasive procedures like catheterization.
Correct answer is: Urinary tract infection after catheterization in hospital
Q.7 The use of alcohol-based hand rubs is preferred over soap and water when:
Hands are visibly soiled
Hands are not visibly dirty
Caring for patients with Clostridium difficile
After using the restroom
Explanation - Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against most microorganisms and are preferred when hands are not visibly soiled for convenience and speed.
Correct answer is: Hands are not visibly dirty
Q.8 Which of the following PPE is required when there is a risk of splashing blood?
Gown and gloves only
Mask and gloves only
Gloves, gown, and eye protection
Cap only
Explanation - When blood or body fluids may splash, full barrier protection including gloves, gown, and eye protection is required.
Correct answer is: Gloves, gown, and eye protection
Q.9 Which microorganism is most resistant to standard disinfection?
Bacteria
Viruses
Bacterial spores
Fungi
Explanation - Bacterial spores are highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and desiccation, requiring sterilization for elimination.
Correct answer is: Bacterial spores
Q.10 Which of the following best describes the chain of infection?
A sequence of events that allows infection to spread
A method to clean surgical instruments
A patient care protocol
A type of antibiotic regimen
Explanation - The chain of infection includes infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
Correct answer is: A sequence of events that allows infection to spread
Q.11 When should gloves be removed during a patient care procedure?
After completing the task and before touching clean surfaces
After touching the patient only
After entering the patient’s room
Only if visibly soiled
Explanation - Gloves prevent contamination of the environment; they should be removed before touching clean areas or equipment.
Correct answer is: After completing the task and before touching clean surfaces
Q.12 Which of the following methods is considered a chemical sterilization technique?
Autoclaving
Boiling
Ethylene oxide gas
Dry heat
Explanation - Ethylene oxide gas is used for sterilizing heat-sensitive medical equipment using chemical means.
Correct answer is: Ethylene oxide gas
Q.13 What is the recommended handwashing duration according to WHO guidelines?
10 seconds
20 seconds
1 minute
5 minutes
Explanation - Effective handwashing with soap and water should last at least 20 seconds to remove pathogens properly.
Correct answer is: 20 seconds
Q.14 Which of the following is a principle of surgical asepsis?
Sterile objects can touch clean objects
Sterile objects can touch other sterile objects
Sterile field can be left unattended indefinitely
Sterile gloves are optional
Explanation - Maintaining sterility requires that only sterile objects touch each other; contact with non-sterile objects contaminates the field.
Correct answer is: Sterile objects can touch other sterile objects
Q.15 A patient with chickenpox should be placed in which type of isolation?
Contact isolation
Droplet isolation
Airborne isolation
Protective isolation
Explanation - Chickenpox virus spreads via airborne particles, requiring airborne isolation precautions.
Correct answer is: Airborne isolation
Q.16 What is the main purpose of disinfecting surfaces in a hospital?
To make surfaces shine
To kill pathogenic microorganisms
To prevent staff from slipping
To remove dirt only
Explanation - Disinfection aims to destroy or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms to prevent infections.
Correct answer is: To kill pathogenic microorganisms
Q.17 Which of the following is a common mode of transmission for healthcare-associated infections?
Airborne droplets only
Direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet
Food only
Water only
Explanation - HAIs are transmitted through multiple routes, including direct contact, indirect contact via fomites, and respiratory droplets.
Correct answer is: Direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet
Q.18 Which term describes microorganisms that normally live on or in the body without causing disease?
Pathogens
Commensals
Spores
Vectors
Explanation - Commensal microorganisms are part of the normal flora and usually do not cause disease unless the host’s defenses are compromised.
Correct answer is: Commensals
Q.19 Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning PPE?
Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
Gown, gloves, mask, eye protection
Explanation - Proper donning sequence ensures maximum protection: gown first, then mask, eye protection, and gloves last.
Correct answer is: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Q.20 Which of the following actions can break the chain of infection?
Skipping hand hygiene
Using gloves correctly
Not covering coughs
Reusing disposable needles
Explanation - Using PPE correctly, including gloves, helps break the chain of infection by preventing pathogen transmission.
Correct answer is: Using gloves correctly
Q.21 Which disinfectant is effective against bacterial spores?
Alcohol
Chlorine bleach
Soap
Hydrogen peroxide at low concentration
Explanation - High concentration chlorine bleach is capable of destroying bacterial spores and is used for surface sterilization.
Correct answer is: Chlorine bleach
Q.22 Which practice is essential to maintain sterile technique during a procedure?
Talking over the sterile field
Reaching over the sterile field
Keeping the sterile field dry
Touching sterile instruments with bare hands
Explanation - A sterile field must be kept dry because moisture can allow microorganisms to migrate, contaminating the field.
Correct answer is: Keeping the sterile field dry
Q.23 Which infection control measure is most appropriate when handling soiled linens?
Shaking the linens to remove debris
Carrying them close to the body
Wearing gloves and handling carefully
Rinsing in tap water before washing
Explanation - Gloves and careful handling prevent transmission of microorganisms from soiled linens.
Correct answer is: Wearing gloves and handling carefully
Q.24 Which factor increases a patient’s susceptibility to infection?
Strong immune system
Proper nutrition
Chronic illness
Regular exercise
Explanation - Chronic illnesses like diabetes or immunosuppressive conditions compromise the body’s defenses, increasing infection risk.
Correct answer is: Chronic illness