CIC EXAM SCRIPT SOLVED QUESTIONS CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED
CIC Practice EXAM EXAM Script 2026/2027
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update
Question:
. The purpose of the antibiogram is to: a. Provide a monthly report on new and emerging
antimicrobials b. Give IPs another metric to track c. Provide information on antimicrobial usage and
resistance patterns in the community d. Give hospitals information needed for reporting data
through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).
Answer:
c. Provide information on antimicrobial usage and resistance patterns in the community Rationale:
The surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is an essential first step in identifying priority areas for
managing antimicrobial use from an IP perspective versus a pharmacy or cost- containment
perspective. An antibiogram simplifies multiple patients' antimicrobial sensitivity information at an
institution into a single number for pathogens of interest in an effort to monitor trends emerging in
drug resistance. An antibiogram is a useful tool for the IP to determine the status of strategies in
place to reduce MDROs. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 26
Question:
20. The most common organism associated with pneumonia in school-aged children and young
adults is: a. Neisseria meningitidis b. Streptococcus pneumoniae c. Staphylococcus aureus d.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Answer:
d. Mycoplasma pneumoniae Rationale: Mycoplasma is Uncommon under the age of 5 but is the
leading cause of pneumonia in school-aged children and young adults. It can occur during any
season and occurs throughout the world.
Question:
21. The purpose of a root cause analysis is to: a. Determine which individual made an error so that
the employee may be disciplined or terminated b. Review the basic processes that are in place and
then turn that review over to a unit-specific team so that they can determine how they should modify
their practices c. Provide a process that requires little time or training but allows employees to
,identify culpability after an adverse event d. Include participants from diverse areas of the
organization to delve into the cause of an 'error or systems failure and identify changes in practice
and/or policy that will prevent a repeat of that error or event.
Answer:
d. Include participants from diverse areas of the organization to delve into the cause of an error or
systems failure and identify changes in practice and/or policy that will prevent a repeat of that error
or event Rationale: The root cause analysis (RCA) process takes a retrospective look at adverse
outcomes and determines what happened, why it happened, and what an organization can do to
prevent the situation from recurring. Risk managers commonly use the RCA to investigate major
incidents, sentinel events, or errors in healthcare delivery. The RCA process avoids individual
blame, considers human factors engineering, and analyzes redesign for a safer system. When
conducting RCA, a multidisciplinary team discovers basic and contributing causes for what
happened. The team includes frontline staff, and individuals most familiar with the situation to dig
deep into the process, asking why something happens at each level of cause and effect. The entire
RCA process identifies changes to a particular process or system that improves safety or reduces
process error. A thorough RCA determines: (1) human and other factors; (2) the process or system
involved; (3) underlying causes and effects of the process; and (4) the risks and potential
contributions to failure or adverse results. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 16
Question:
22. A pediatric patient has been diagnosed with pediculosis. What is the most appropriate follow-up
to prevent it from spreading to other patients or healthcare professionals? a. Place the patient on
Contact Precautions until 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been initiated b. Require all
visitors and HCP who enter the room to wear a disposable scrub cap for any patient contact c. Use
an insecticidal spray in the room after the patent is discharged d. Prophylactically treat all family
members and anyone with close physical contact with the patient.
Answer:
a. Place the patient on Contact Precautions until 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been
initiated Rationale: In addition to placing the patient on Contact Precautions, patient bedding,
clothing, and waterproof personal items should be washed at high temperature. Reference: APIC
Text, 4th edition, Chapter 96
Question:
23 An employee has experienced an accidental needlestick injury while providing care to a patient.
All of the following lab tests would be appropriate for the source patient except: a. Human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) b. Hepatitis B antibody C. Hepatitis B surface antigen d. Hepatitis C
,surface antigen.
Answer:
b. Hepatitis B antibody Rationale: A positive Hepatitis B antibody indicates past infection or
immunity via vaccination. It does not indicate active infection. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition,
Chapter 101
Question:
24. The IP receives a call from a physician who is concerned that there is an outbreak of
Acinetobacter baumannii, because he has cared for four patients in the past week who are infected
with the organism. What is the IP's first step in responding to this call? a. Contact the lab to ask them
to create an alert for any A. baumannii cases b. Contact hospital administration to request additional
resources to investigate the outbreak c. Confirm that there is an outbreak by using her own
surveillance data and lab records to compare the rates of Acinetobacter baumannii over the past year
d. Initiate a case-control study to determine risk factors for A. baumanii infection.
Answer:
c. Confirm that there is an outbreak by using her own surveillance data and lab records to compare
the rates of Acinetobacter baumannii over the past year Rationale: Confirming the presence of an
outbreak is a key first step in an outbreak investigation. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter
12
Question:
25. The IP receives a call from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with an official request for
private health information (PHI) about a patient who was admitted to the facility with botulism.
How should the IP respond to this call? a. Tell the FDA officer that she cannot share PHI with the
FDA due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations b. Ask the
FDA to contact the local health department to obtain information about the patient c. Provide the
FDA officer with the minimum amount of information necessary related to the patient d. Transfer
the call to the Risk Management Department.
Answer:
Provide the FDA officer with the minimum amount of information necessary related to the patient,
Rationale: The FDA is a public health authority. HIPAA regulations cover disclosure to the FDA of
the minimum amount of information is. necessary to prevent or control disease. References: APIC
Text, 4th edition, Chapter 8
, Question:
26. A measles exposure from a patient in a clinic was identified and an exposure workup was
initiated. A staff exposure was defined as "nonimmune HCP with more than 5 minutes of
same-room contact or face-to-face contact with the index patient." Forty-eight HCP were identified
as possible exposures. Of these, 44 had documented immunity to measles. Of the remaining HCP,
three did not have the same room or face-to-face contact. How many HCP were at risk of
developing measles because of this exposure? a. 4 b. 45 c. 1 d. 48.
Answer:
c. 1 Rationale: Measles is a highly contagious febrile exanthern. In most immunocompetent
individuals, measles is a self-limited condition with a distinct clinical prodrome of cough, coryza,
and conjunctivitis followed by a rnorbilliform skin eruption. Measles is more severe in young,
malnourished, and immunocompromised persons. Even healthy individuals may experience
complications, however, such as otitis media, bronchopneumonia, encephalitis, and
laryngotracheobronchitis. Because measles is so highly contagious; healthcare facilities need to be
prepared to safely care for measles patients. Measles immunity (natural or vaccinated) among HCP
and use of proper isolation guidelines and postexposure protocols-need to be established to
minimize the potential for healthcare-associated transmission of measles. According to the
definition of staff exposure, only one healthcare worker was nonimmune and had more than 5
minutes of same- room contact or face-to-face contact with the index patient. Susceptible personnel
who have been exposed to an individual with measles should be furloughed (relieved from
healthcare activities) from the fifth to the 21st day after exposure, regardless of whether they
received measles vaccine or immunoglobulin after exposure or until 4 days after development of
rash. Personnel who develop measles should be furloughed until they have had their rash for 4 days.
Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 86
Question:
27. Which of the following recommendations related to disinfection and sterilization in healthcare
facilities is a CDC category 1A recommendation? 1) Before use on each patient, sterilize critical
medical and surgical devices and instruments that enter normally sterile tissue or the vascular
system or through which a sterile body fluid flows" 2) Meticulously clean patient-care items with
water and detergent, or with water and enzymatic cleaners before high-level disinfection or
sterilization procedures. 3) In hospitals, perform most cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of
patient-care devices in a central processing department in order to more easily control quality. 4)
Perform low-level disinfection for noncritical patient-care surfaces (e.g., bedrails, over-the-bed
table) and equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuff) that touch intact skin a. 1 b. 1,3 c. 1, 2, 4 d. 1, 2, 3,
4.
Answer:
CIC Practice EXAM EXAM Script 2026/2027
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update
Question:
. The purpose of the antibiogram is to: a. Provide a monthly report on new and emerging
antimicrobials b. Give IPs another metric to track c. Provide information on antimicrobial usage and
resistance patterns in the community d. Give hospitals information needed for reporting data
through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).
Answer:
c. Provide information on antimicrobial usage and resistance patterns in the community Rationale:
The surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is an essential first step in identifying priority areas for
managing antimicrobial use from an IP perspective versus a pharmacy or cost- containment
perspective. An antibiogram simplifies multiple patients' antimicrobial sensitivity information at an
institution into a single number for pathogens of interest in an effort to monitor trends emerging in
drug resistance. An antibiogram is a useful tool for the IP to determine the status of strategies in
place to reduce MDROs. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 26
Question:
20. The most common organism associated with pneumonia in school-aged children and young
adults is: a. Neisseria meningitidis b. Streptococcus pneumoniae c. Staphylococcus aureus d.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Answer:
d. Mycoplasma pneumoniae Rationale: Mycoplasma is Uncommon under the age of 5 but is the
leading cause of pneumonia in school-aged children and young adults. It can occur during any
season and occurs throughout the world.
Question:
21. The purpose of a root cause analysis is to: a. Determine which individual made an error so that
the employee may be disciplined or terminated b. Review the basic processes that are in place and
then turn that review over to a unit-specific team so that they can determine how they should modify
their practices c. Provide a process that requires little time or training but allows employees to
,identify culpability after an adverse event d. Include participants from diverse areas of the
organization to delve into the cause of an 'error or systems failure and identify changes in practice
and/or policy that will prevent a repeat of that error or event.
Answer:
d. Include participants from diverse areas of the organization to delve into the cause of an error or
systems failure and identify changes in practice and/or policy that will prevent a repeat of that error
or event Rationale: The root cause analysis (RCA) process takes a retrospective look at adverse
outcomes and determines what happened, why it happened, and what an organization can do to
prevent the situation from recurring. Risk managers commonly use the RCA to investigate major
incidents, sentinel events, or errors in healthcare delivery. The RCA process avoids individual
blame, considers human factors engineering, and analyzes redesign for a safer system. When
conducting RCA, a multidisciplinary team discovers basic and contributing causes for what
happened. The team includes frontline staff, and individuals most familiar with the situation to dig
deep into the process, asking why something happens at each level of cause and effect. The entire
RCA process identifies changes to a particular process or system that improves safety or reduces
process error. A thorough RCA determines: (1) human and other factors; (2) the process or system
involved; (3) underlying causes and effects of the process; and (4) the risks and potential
contributions to failure or adverse results. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 16
Question:
22. A pediatric patient has been diagnosed with pediculosis. What is the most appropriate follow-up
to prevent it from spreading to other patients or healthcare professionals? a. Place the patient on
Contact Precautions until 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been initiated b. Require all
visitors and HCP who enter the room to wear a disposable scrub cap for any patient contact c. Use
an insecticidal spray in the room after the patent is discharged d. Prophylactically treat all family
members and anyone with close physical contact with the patient.
Answer:
a. Place the patient on Contact Precautions until 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been
initiated Rationale: In addition to placing the patient on Contact Precautions, patient bedding,
clothing, and waterproof personal items should be washed at high temperature. Reference: APIC
Text, 4th edition, Chapter 96
Question:
23 An employee has experienced an accidental needlestick injury while providing care to a patient.
All of the following lab tests would be appropriate for the source patient except: a. Human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) b. Hepatitis B antibody C. Hepatitis B surface antigen d. Hepatitis C
,surface antigen.
Answer:
b. Hepatitis B antibody Rationale: A positive Hepatitis B antibody indicates past infection or
immunity via vaccination. It does not indicate active infection. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition,
Chapter 101
Question:
24. The IP receives a call from a physician who is concerned that there is an outbreak of
Acinetobacter baumannii, because he has cared for four patients in the past week who are infected
with the organism. What is the IP's first step in responding to this call? a. Contact the lab to ask them
to create an alert for any A. baumannii cases b. Contact hospital administration to request additional
resources to investigate the outbreak c. Confirm that there is an outbreak by using her own
surveillance data and lab records to compare the rates of Acinetobacter baumannii over the past year
d. Initiate a case-control study to determine risk factors for A. baumanii infection.
Answer:
c. Confirm that there is an outbreak by using her own surveillance data and lab records to compare
the rates of Acinetobacter baumannii over the past year Rationale: Confirming the presence of an
outbreak is a key first step in an outbreak investigation. Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter
12
Question:
25. The IP receives a call from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with an official request for
private health information (PHI) about a patient who was admitted to the facility with botulism.
How should the IP respond to this call? a. Tell the FDA officer that she cannot share PHI with the
FDA due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations b. Ask the
FDA to contact the local health department to obtain information about the patient c. Provide the
FDA officer with the minimum amount of information necessary related to the patient d. Transfer
the call to the Risk Management Department.
Answer:
Provide the FDA officer with the minimum amount of information necessary related to the patient,
Rationale: The FDA is a public health authority. HIPAA regulations cover disclosure to the FDA of
the minimum amount of information is. necessary to prevent or control disease. References: APIC
Text, 4th edition, Chapter 8
, Question:
26. A measles exposure from a patient in a clinic was identified and an exposure workup was
initiated. A staff exposure was defined as "nonimmune HCP with more than 5 minutes of
same-room contact or face-to-face contact with the index patient." Forty-eight HCP were identified
as possible exposures. Of these, 44 had documented immunity to measles. Of the remaining HCP,
three did not have the same room or face-to-face contact. How many HCP were at risk of
developing measles because of this exposure? a. 4 b. 45 c. 1 d. 48.
Answer:
c. 1 Rationale: Measles is a highly contagious febrile exanthern. In most immunocompetent
individuals, measles is a self-limited condition with a distinct clinical prodrome of cough, coryza,
and conjunctivitis followed by a rnorbilliform skin eruption. Measles is more severe in young,
malnourished, and immunocompromised persons. Even healthy individuals may experience
complications, however, such as otitis media, bronchopneumonia, encephalitis, and
laryngotracheobronchitis. Because measles is so highly contagious; healthcare facilities need to be
prepared to safely care for measles patients. Measles immunity (natural or vaccinated) among HCP
and use of proper isolation guidelines and postexposure protocols-need to be established to
minimize the potential for healthcare-associated transmission of measles. According to the
definition of staff exposure, only one healthcare worker was nonimmune and had more than 5
minutes of same- room contact or face-to-face contact with the index patient. Susceptible personnel
who have been exposed to an individual with measles should be furloughed (relieved from
healthcare activities) from the fifth to the 21st day after exposure, regardless of whether they
received measles vaccine or immunoglobulin after exposure or until 4 days after development of
rash. Personnel who develop measles should be furloughed until they have had their rash for 4 days.
Reference: APIC Text, 4th edition, Chapter 86
Question:
27. Which of the following recommendations related to disinfection and sterilization in healthcare
facilities is a CDC category 1A recommendation? 1) Before use on each patient, sterilize critical
medical and surgical devices and instruments that enter normally sterile tissue or the vascular
system or through which a sterile body fluid flows" 2) Meticulously clean patient-care items with
water and detergent, or with water and enzymatic cleaners before high-level disinfection or
sterilization procedures. 3) In hospitals, perform most cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of
patient-care devices in a central processing department in order to more easily control quality. 4)
Perform low-level disinfection for noncritical patient-care surfaces (e.g., bedrails, over-the-bed
table) and equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuff) that touch intact skin a. 1 b. 1,3 c. 1, 2, 4 d. 1, 2, 3,
4.
Answer:
