NNMC Prep
Sign inStart free
Home / INFECTION-PREVENTION · Module 6: Infection Prevention and Patient Safety
Up to date with the current NMC Test of Competence specification

NMC CBT·ModuleINFECTION-PREVENTION

Module 6: Infection Prevention and Patient Safety

Module 6 covers infection prevention and patient safety knowledge required by the NMC for UK nursing registration. Topics include standard precautions and the WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), the Spaulding classification for decontamination, healthcare-associated infections (MRSA, C. difficile, catheter-associated UTI, surgical site infection), the NHS Patient Safety Framework and just culture, root cause analysis, falls prevention, pressure ulcer prevention bundles, VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis, high-risk medicines, and medication incident reporting.

Questions
730
Units
4
Topics
16

What’s in it.

4 units

Sample questions

3 of many

A few questions from this module, with the answer and a full explanation. The complete bank is available when you start practising.

  1. A patient has high VTE risk and moderate bleeding risk. The prescriber asks the nurse for their clinical input on prophylaxis options. The patient has had recent minor haemoptysis, a platelet count of 62 × 10⁹/L, and is three days post-hip replacement. Which combination of factors MOST influences the decision to use mechanical rather than pharmacological prophylaxis?

    • Minor haemoptysis alone, which is the single most significant contraindication to LMWH in any post-surgical patient
    • The prescriber's request for nursing input, which transfers clinical responsibility for the prophylaxis decision to the nurse
    • Three days post-hip replacement surgery, which is generally a contraindication to any pharmacological prophylaxis for the first week post-operatively
    • Platelet count of 62 × 10⁹/L (below 75 × 10⁹/L is a common threshold for avoiding pharmacological prophylaxis) combined with recent haemoptysis indicating active bleeding risk
      Correct answer
    Explanation

    Thrombocytopenia with a platelet count below 75×10⁹/L is commonly used as a threshold below which pharmacological anticoagulation carries significant haemorrhagic risk. Combined with active haemoptysis (indicating possible bleeding from the respiratory tract), this patient has two concurrent bleeding risk indicators that make mechanical prophylaxis (IPC or AES if no contraindication) the most appropriate option while the bleeding risk is assessed and addressed. Post-operative day three is not itself a contraindication to pharmacological prophylaxis.

  2. A nurse is completing a care plan for a patient with limited mobility and incontinence. The plan includes: an alternating-pressure mattress, skin inspection at each repositioning, 2-hourly repositioning, and nutritional screening. Which SSKIN element has been omitted?

    • Incontinence and moisture management — managing the patient's continence to prevent moisture-associated skin damage
      Correct answer
    • Score — the Waterlow score was not documented in the care plan and must be recorded before bundle implementation
    • Nutrition — nutritional screening is not the same as active nutrition management in the SSKIN bundle
    • Keep moving — 2-hourly repositioning does not fulfil the 'Keep moving' element of the bundle
    Explanation

    The SSKIN bundle has five elements:

    • Surface
    • Skin inspection
    • Keep moving
    • Incontinence and moisture management
    • Nutrition and hydration

    The care plan covers Surface (alternating-pressure mattress), Skin inspection (at each repositioning), Keep moving (2-hourly repositioning), and Nutrition (nutritional screening). The Incontinence and moisture management element is absent — particularly important in this patient as incontinence creates moisture-associated skin damage that significantly increases pressure ulcer risk.

  3. Which of the following is NOT a recognised element of the SSKIN bundle?

    • Keep moving — planned repositioning to relieve pressure
    • Skin inspection — examining pressure points at each repositioning episode
    • Sedation management — monitoring and adjusting sedation levels to enable self-repositioning
      Correct answer
    • Surface — using the appropriate pressure-redistributing support surface
    Explanation

    The five elements of the SSKIN bundle are:

    • Surface
    • Skin inspection
    • Keep moving
    • Incontinence/moisture management
    • Nutrition and hydration

    Sedation management is not an element of the SSKIN bundle. While agitation or sedation may indirectly affect repositioning, it is not a named component. Questions testing SSKIN often include plausible-sounding but incorrect options such as this.

Frequently asked questions

3 questions
What infection control topics are in the NMC CBT?

The NMC CBT assesses standard precautions including the WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne), aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), and the Spaulding classification for decontamination of equipment.

What is ANTT in nursing?

Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) is a clinical practice framework that protects patients from contamination during clinical procedures. It identifies and protects key parts (those that must not be touched) and key sites (the patient's entry point). ANTT is the UK standard for all aseptic procedures.

What is the NHS just culture approach to patient safety?

The NHS just culture model encourages reporting of incidents and near misses without fear of blame, while still holding individuals accountable for reckless behaviour. It focuses on learning from errors to improve systems rather than punishing individuals for honest mistakes made in complex environments.