, MRSA InfectIon contRol And PReventIon – AcAdeMIc
YeAR 2026/2027 – fInAl coMPRehenSIve exAMInAtIon
QueStIonS
EXAM OVERVIEW
This comprehensive examination covers Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infection control and prevention for healthcare professionals. MRSA remains a
significant healthcare-associated pathogen, with prevention requiring a multifaceted approach
including hand hygiene, contact precautions, environmental cleaning, active surveillance, and
decolonization strategies.
Domain Approximate Weight
Fundamentals & Microbiology 15%
Transmission & Risk Factors 20%
Prevention & Infection Control 25%
Screening & Surveillance 15%
Decolonization & Treatment 15%
Special Populations & Settings 10%
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS & MICROBIOLOGY
Question 1:
What does MRSA stand for?
A) Multiple Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
C) Macrolide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
D) Methicillin-resistant Streptococcus aureus
,coRRect AnSweR: B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
RAtIonAle: MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of
staphylococcus bacteria that has become resistant to methicillin and other beta-lactam
antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins.
Question 2:
Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism of methicillin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus?
A) Production of beta-lactamase enzymes
B) Alteration of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)
C) Efflux pump overexpression
D) Ribosomal target site modification
coRRect AnSweR: B) Alteration of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)
RAtIonAle: MRSA resistance is primarily mediated by the mecA gene, which encodes an
altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a). This modified PBP has a low affinity for beta-lactam
antibiotics, allowing the bacterium to survive despite the presence of these drugs.
Question 3:
MRSA is classified into two main types based on acquisition setting. These are:
A) Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA)
B) Skin MRSA and Blood MRSA
C) Resistant MRSA and Susceptible MRSA
D) Acute MRSA and Chronic MRSA
coRRect AnSweR: A) Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and Community-acquired
MRSA (CA-MRSA)
RAtIonAle: MRSA is broadly classified as Hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) and Community-
acquired (CA-MRSA) . HA-MRSA typically affects patients with healthcare exposure and is
often multi-drug resistant. CA-MRSA occurs in healthy individuals without healthcare contact
and is often associated with skin and soft tissue infections.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a major virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus that contributes to
its pathogenicity?
A) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
B) Protein A
C) Capsular polysaccharide
D) Flagella
, coRRect AnSweR: B) Protein A
RAtIonAle: Protein A is a virulence factor of S. aureus that binds to the Fc portion of
immunoglobulins, interfering with opsonization and phagocytosis. Other virulence factors
include toxins (e.g., TSST-1, enterotoxins) and enzymes (e.g., coagulase, hyaluronidase).
Question 5:
What is the most common site of MRSA colonization in humans?
A) Skin
B) Gastrointestinal tract
C) Anterior nares (nostrils)
D) Oropharynx
coRRect AnSweR: C) Anterior nares (nostrils)
RAtIonAle: The anterior nares (nostrils) are the most common site of MRSA colonization.
Up to 30% of the population may be colonized with S. aureus at any given time, and the nares
serve as the primary reservoir for transmission.
Question 6:
The term "colonization" refers to:
A) The presence of bacteria causing active infection
B) The presence of bacteria without signs or symptoms of infection
C) The complete elimination of bacteria from the body
D) The spread of bacteria to other individuals
coRRect AnSweR: B) The presence of bacteria without signs or symptoms of infection
RAtIonAle: Colonization refers to the presence of microorganisms on body surfaces (skin,
mucous membranes) without causing disease or symptoms. Colonized individuals can transmit
MRSA to others even though they are not ill themselves.
Question 7:
Which of the following is NOT a common site of MRSA colonization?
A) Anterior nares
B) Axillae
C) Perineum
D) Lungs
coRRect AnSweR: D) Lungs
YeAR 2026/2027 – fInAl coMPRehenSIve exAMInAtIon
QueStIonS
EXAM OVERVIEW
This comprehensive examination covers Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infection control and prevention for healthcare professionals. MRSA remains a
significant healthcare-associated pathogen, with prevention requiring a multifaceted approach
including hand hygiene, contact precautions, environmental cleaning, active surveillance, and
decolonization strategies.
Domain Approximate Weight
Fundamentals & Microbiology 15%
Transmission & Risk Factors 20%
Prevention & Infection Control 25%
Screening & Surveillance 15%
Decolonization & Treatment 15%
Special Populations & Settings 10%
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS & MICROBIOLOGY
Question 1:
What does MRSA stand for?
A) Multiple Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
C) Macrolide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
D) Methicillin-resistant Streptococcus aureus
,coRRect AnSweR: B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
RAtIonAle: MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of
staphylococcus bacteria that has become resistant to methicillin and other beta-lactam
antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins.
Question 2:
Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism of methicillin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus?
A) Production of beta-lactamase enzymes
B) Alteration of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)
C) Efflux pump overexpression
D) Ribosomal target site modification
coRRect AnSweR: B) Alteration of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)
RAtIonAle: MRSA resistance is primarily mediated by the mecA gene, which encodes an
altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a). This modified PBP has a low affinity for beta-lactam
antibiotics, allowing the bacterium to survive despite the presence of these drugs.
Question 3:
MRSA is classified into two main types based on acquisition setting. These are:
A) Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA)
B) Skin MRSA and Blood MRSA
C) Resistant MRSA and Susceptible MRSA
D) Acute MRSA and Chronic MRSA
coRRect AnSweR: A) Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and Community-acquired
MRSA (CA-MRSA)
RAtIonAle: MRSA is broadly classified as Hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) and Community-
acquired (CA-MRSA) . HA-MRSA typically affects patients with healthcare exposure and is
often multi-drug resistant. CA-MRSA occurs in healthy individuals without healthcare contact
and is often associated with skin and soft tissue infections.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a major virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus that contributes to
its pathogenicity?
A) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
B) Protein A
C) Capsular polysaccharide
D) Flagella
, coRRect AnSweR: B) Protein A
RAtIonAle: Protein A is a virulence factor of S. aureus that binds to the Fc portion of
immunoglobulins, interfering with opsonization and phagocytosis. Other virulence factors
include toxins (e.g., TSST-1, enterotoxins) and enzymes (e.g., coagulase, hyaluronidase).
Question 5:
What is the most common site of MRSA colonization in humans?
A) Skin
B) Gastrointestinal tract
C) Anterior nares (nostrils)
D) Oropharynx
coRRect AnSweR: C) Anterior nares (nostrils)
RAtIonAle: The anterior nares (nostrils) are the most common site of MRSA colonization.
Up to 30% of the population may be colonized with S. aureus at any given time, and the nares
serve as the primary reservoir for transmission.
Question 6:
The term "colonization" refers to:
A) The presence of bacteria causing active infection
B) The presence of bacteria without signs or symptoms of infection
C) The complete elimination of bacteria from the body
D) The spread of bacteria to other individuals
coRRect AnSweR: B) The presence of bacteria without signs or symptoms of infection
RAtIonAle: Colonization refers to the presence of microorganisms on body surfaces (skin,
mucous membranes) without causing disease or symptoms. Colonized individuals can transmit
MRSA to others even though they are not ill themselves.
Question 7:
Which of the following is NOT a common site of MRSA colonization?
A) Anterior nares
B) Axillae
C) Perineum
D) Lungs
coRRect AnSweR: D) Lungs
