247SimpleTests
NCLEX · Safety and Infection Control

A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which infection control measure is essential?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Use contact precautions and wash hands with soap and water (alcohol-based sanitizer does not kill C. diff spores)

  1. A Use airborne precautions
  2. B No special precautions needed
  3. C Use contact precautions and wash hands with soap and water (alcohol-based sanitizer does not kill C. diff spores)
  4. D Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only

Why this is the answer

For C. DIFFICILE (C. diff — causes severe diarrhea, spread by spores): use CONTACT PRECAUTIONS (gown and gloves) AND wash hands with SOAP AND WATER — because alcohol-based hand sanitizer does NOT kill C. diff SPORES (the mechanical action of soap and water physically removes them). NCLEX safe care/infection control. Also: dedicated/disposable equipment; clean the environment with a sporicidal agent (bleach-based); private room.

Key point: C. diff (and other spore-formers) is the exception to the 'alcohol sanitizer is fine' rule — you MUST use soap and water. Norovirus is similar (soap and water preferred). Knowing that C. diff requires soap-and-water handwashing (not alcohol gel) plus contact precautions is a heavily tested NCLEX concept.

Source: NCLEX Safe Care — C. diff Precautions

Practice more questions

This question is from our NCLEX Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Safety and Infection Control and other topics.

Take the RN: Safe and Effective Care Environment practice test →

About this topic: Safety and Infection Control

Safety and infection control questions cover Standard and transmission-based precautions, isolation set-up, sterile technique, error prevention, restraints, and emergency and disaster response. This is one of 24 RN: Safe and Effective Care Environment questions on safety and infection control, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

Safety and Infection Control

What is the most important infection-control measure?

 Safety and Infection Control

A client with active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted. What type of isolation precautions are required?

 Safety and Infection Control

What is the proper sequence for donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) personal protective equipment (PPE)?

 Safety and Infection Control

What is the safest method of identifying a client before any procedure or medication administration?

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Georgia

Recommended study materials

Study guide

Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN 9th Ed. (Elsevier)

The gold standard for NCLEX-RN prep: 5,200+ practice questions, content review, test-taking strategy.

Check Price → Study guide

NCLEX-PN Prep Plus (Kaplan)

Targeted NCLEX-PN content review with hundreds of practice questions and video explanations.

Check Price → Study guide

Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment (Elsevier)

The leading resource for NCLEX questions on prioritization, delegation, and management of care.

Check Price →

As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate, and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links. Full disclosure →