NCLEX Isolation Precautions: The Ultimate Infection Control Guide

Why NCLEX isolation precautions matter

On the NCLEX, NCLEX isolation precautions questions test whether you can keep patients and staff safe—every time. Expect items about which PPE to wear, which room to choose, and what to do first when a new infection risk appears.

See also on Nurseclex other blogs: PPE Donning & Doffing (Cheat Sheet), Analysis & Prioritization, Trend Items, Therapeutic Communication, Study Plans, Signup 

The four pillars you must know (at a glance)

NCLEX rule of thumb: Airborne = N95 + negative pressure. C. diff = soap and water (alcohol doesn’t kill spores). Contact + Droplet often combine for RSV.

Room placement & transport—what the exam expects

• Airborne: Negative-pressure room, door closed, patient masked when transported.

• Droplet: Private/cohort; mask within 3–6 feet; mask the patient during transport.

• Contact: Private/cohort; dedicate or disinfect equipment; gown and gloves on entry.

• Standard: Hand hygiene and task-based PPE for all patients.

When in doubt: Choose the option that prevents spread now (PPE/room) before teaching or documentation.

Hand hygiene—what wins points

• Soap and water for C. diff and visible soil.

• Alcohol rub for routine decontamination if hands not visibly soiled.

• Before/after every patient contact, after glove removal, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure.

Linen, equipment, and visitors

• Dedicate BP cuffs, thermometers, and stethoscopes for contact rooms.

• Clean and disinfect shared items before reuse.

• Teach visitors the correct PPE and hand hygiene; restrict if symptomatic.

High-yield disease → precaution map

• Airborne: TB, measles (rubeola), varicella (plus contact if lesions).

• Droplet: Influenza, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, rubella, pertussis.

• Contact: C. diff, MRSA, VRE, RSV, scabies, impetigo.

• Standard only: HIV (unless otherwise indicated), hepatitis (unless there’s splash risk—then add task-based PPE).

Delegation & scope cues that appear in isolation items

• RN: Initial assessment, patient education, evaluation, and isolation initiation.

• LPN/LVN: Stable patients, reinforce teaching, medication administration per policy.

• UAP/CNA: ADLs, obtaining vitals for stable patients, transport with PPE as instructed.

Link for deeper practice: Delegation & Scope (Leadership) (to your /homeblogs/ page)

Mini practice (NCLEX-style)

Q1. Client with suspected TB arrives on the unit. What is the first action?
A. Start IV access
B. Place in negative-pressure room and apply N95 ✅
C. Obtain sputum sample before isolation
D. Begin broad-spectrum antibiotics
Why: Airborne precautions immediately to protect others.

Q2. Which statement is correct for C. difficile?
A. Alcohol gel is preferred
B. Use soap and water for hand hygiene ✅
C. Surgical mask is required
D. No gown is needed unless soiled
Why: Spores resist alcohol. Soap and water win.

Q3. You must transport a client on droplet precautions. Safest step?
A. No PPE if the trip is short
B. Mask the patient for transport ✅
C. Use an N95 for all staff
D. Remove the mask once in the hallway
Why: Mask the patient during transport to contain droplets.

Q4. A child with varicella is admitted. Which is essential?
A. Surgical mask only
B. Standard precautions only
C. Negative-pressure room and N95; immune staff preferred ✅
D. Contact precautions only
Why: Varicella is airborne (plus contact if lesions draining).

More drills: Isolation Precautions QBank, PPE Donning & Doffing, Analysis & Prioritizatization

Safety checklist you can memorize

• Pick room type first, then PPE, then transport rules.

• Soap & water for C. diff; dedicate equipment for contact rooms.

• Mask the patient for droplet transport.

• N95 + negative pressure for airborne.

• Teach visitors how and why to wear PPE.

Keep going with Nurseclex

• Analysis & Prioritization • Trend Items • Therapeutic Communication

• Delegation & Scope
   

Optional external authority: CDC Isolation Guidance (add a single authoritative link if you want one external).