After caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile, how should the nurse clean their hands?

A. Use alcohol rub before and after glove use
B. Wash with soap and water after removing gloves
C. Wear two pairs of gloves and skip hand hygiene
D. Use an alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves

Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

C. difficile forms spores that alcohol does not kill. Soap and water with friction physically removes spores. Gloves never replace hand hygiene.

Source: CDC. Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings; C. difficile clinical overview

Keep practicing Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

This question is one of 163 Safety and Infection Prevention and Control items in NCLEXSim. On the NCLEX-RN, this category makes up 10–16% of the exam.

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Study tip

Memorize isolation by organism: airborne (TB, measles, varicella), droplet (influenza, pertussis, mumps, meningococcus), contact (C. difficile, MRSA, scabies, RSV).
Drill the PPE sequences: on is gown, mask, eyewear, gloves; off is gloves, eyewear, gown, mask, then hand hygiene.

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