To assess the infection control educational needs of the nursing service while providing a "hands-on" in-service exercise, nurses were invited to test their infection control knowledge as part of a clinical scenario. After a brief review of the "case," participants surveyed for 10 minutes a mock patient's room where a manikin served as the "patient." Through staged breaks in technique, various components of infection control practice were to be identified by the participants. Five basic areas of infection control practice including handwashing and isolation technique, Foley catheter care, intravenous therapy and line maintenance, use of suctioning equipment and fluids, and general sanitation were presented at 12 stations within the room. Immediately after this exercise, members of the infection control staff revealed the errors in the exhibit and demonstrated the correct procedures. The average score among 548 participants was 57% (11.4 out of 20 possible correct answers). Scores were not influenced by the number of years of experience in nursing. However, differences were seen regarding educational degree and nursing units, which served as a basis to recommend specific infection control education.