NCLEX Infection Control & Isolation Precautions: Airborne, Droplet, Contact

Infection control is a high-yield topic on the NCLEX infection control blueprint because it protects patients first. Use this simple system to choose the right isolation, PPE, and safest action—every time.

One-Minute Flow

1. Name the transmission (airborne, droplet, contact).

2. Pick the room (negative pressure or private).

3. Don PPE in the right order.

4. Do the special rule (e.g., soap & water for C. diff).

5. Choose the safest first action.

Isolation Quick Table

Pearl: RSV = contact first (surfaces). Add a mask if cough/splash risk.

Donning & Doffing (Order That Scores)

• Don: Hand hygiene → Gown → Mask/Respirator → Eye protection → Gloves

• Doff: Gloves → Gown → Hand hygiene → Eye protection → Mask/Respirator → Hand hygiene

Don’t remove an N95 inside the room unless policy/equipment specifies otherwise.

Hand Hygiene Rules

• Soap & water for C. diff, norovirus, visible soil, and after restroom use.

• Alcohol is fine for most—but not spores.

Equipment & Environment

• Keep dedicated stethoscope/BP cuff in contact rooms.

• Negative pressure pulls air into the room; keep door closed.

High-Yield Traps

• Teaching before safety (stabilize/isolate first).

• Wrong shingles isolation (localized + immunocompetent ≠ airborne).

• Sanitizer for C. diff (pick soap & water).

• Forgetting dedicated equipment in contact rooms.

Mini Practice (Fast Picks)

1. New TB rule-out: First action → Negative-pressure room + N95.

2. C. diff diarrhea: Best hygiene → Soap & water after glove removal.

3. Influenza med pass: PPE → Surgical mask within 3–6 ft; gloves PRN.

4. RSV peds: Safest equipment → Dedicated devices; contact PPE.

Prioritization Lens (ABCs → Safety → Stability → Time-Sensitive)

When in doubt, choose the option that prevents transmission and protects airway/breathing before non-urgent tasks.

Suggested Images (add to CMS)

• Hero image (1600×900): “Airborne vs Droplet vs Contact—room + PPE quick map”

  • Alt: “NCLEX infection control chart showing isolation type, room, and PPE order.”

• Inline micro-graphic: “Donning vs Doffing—step order with icons”

  • Alt: “PPE donning and doffing order for NCLEX infection control.”

Explore More 

• Therapeutic Communication (for isolation teaching)

• Trend Items (recognize deterioration)

• Study Plans

 NCSBN Infection Control & NCLEX Test Plan Overview.

Practice targeted NCLEX infection control drills, case sets (TB admission, RSV cohorting, C. diff unit), and timed sims inside Nurseclex →