a-IPC Exam Questions with Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Spaulding classification - critical —Answer: Enters sterile system or the vascular system and
therefore heightens the risk of infection if contaminated with microorganisms, including
bacterial spores. To process, sterilize according to MIFU and kept in their intact sterile
packaging before use. If single use, disposed of immediately after use.
Spaulding classification - semi-critical —Answer: comes into contact with mucous membranes
or non-intact skin. To process, sterilize according to MIFU. Heat sensitive items are processed
through high level disinfection between patient use according to MIFU or used as a single-use
item. Sterilization is preferred.
Spaulding classification - noncritical —Answer: comes into contact with intact skin, but not
mucous membranes. To process, disinfected or protected with barrier according to MIFU
Spaulding classification - single-use —Answer: Critical and semi-critical devices and
instruments that are labelled by the manufacturer to be used only once, as they cannot be
cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized reliably OR devices that are purchased with a MIFU that does
not contain reprocessing instructions. These items are not reprocessed.
Droplet transmission —Answer: coughs and sneezes can spread droplets of saliva and mucous.
>5 micrometers diameter and less than 6 ft of travel.
Airborne transmission —Answer: tiny particles, possibly produced by talking, as suspended in
the air for longer and travel further. <5 micrometers diameter and greater than 6ft of travel
appropriate practices for specimen collection —Answer: wear proper PPE, use aseptic
technique to minimize contamination, proper identification (label immediately), use of sterile
containers, avoid cross-contamination
appropriate practices for specimen transport —Answer: proper containment (usually with
biohazard bags), cold-chain maintenance (if required), timely delivery, documentation (keep
records of transport), ensure transport vehicles are clean
appropriate practices for specimen handling —Answer: minimum handling, use of biohazard
bags, work area is clean, centrifugation (if needed, ensure in proper BSL), proper sharps
handling
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,appropriate practices for specimen storage —Answer: store at proper temperature, labelled
properly, proper separation and organization of specimens, strict access to specimens, monitor
conditions to ensure no changes, and clearly define expiration dates and dispose of when
expired
colonization —Answer: microorganisms live on body surface, but do not cause disease. No
symptoms, no immune response, harmless. No treatment needed, but the person can still be a
source of transmission.
infection —Answer: microorganisms invade the body, multiple, and cause tissue damage and
immune response. Symptoms present and immune system activated. Treatment needed and
can lead to complications if not treated
pseudo-infection (contamination) —Answer: microorganisms are introduced during specimen
collection or processing, not causing disease. No disease symptoms, false-positive lab results
due to external contamination. No treatment needed, but misdiagnosis can occur, leading to
unnecessary interventions
prophylactic antimicrobial use —Answer: administration of an antimicrobial agent to prevent
an infection before it occurs. Typically used in situations where a person is at high risk of
developing an infection due to surgery, immunosuppression, or exposure to a pathogen. For
example, antibiotics given before/after surgery to prevent SSI
empirical antimicrobial use —Answer: Initiated when a patient presents with symptoms of
infection, but the specific pathogen may has not yet been identified. In this case, broad-
spectrum antibiotics are often prescribed based on the most likely pathogens, local
epidemiology, and clinical presentation. Once lab results identify the causative organism, the
treatment can be adjusted
therapeutic antimicrobial use —Answer: use of antimicrobials to treat an established infection
where the causative organism has been identified (or strongly suspected) and is known to be
susceptible to the prescribed agent. This use is targeted and specific, aiming to eradicate
infection.
hand hygiene —Answer: perform before and after patient contact, before handling or eating
food, after using the restroom, and after handling any contaminated material. Use soap and
water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol when soap and
water aren't available
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, appropriate availability, selection, use, and disposal of PPE —Answer: ensure PPE is readily
available in appropriate locations, use PPE based on the type of exposure risk, dispose of
properly after use (gloves should be discarded immediately after patient contact)
donning of PPE —Answer: start with hand hygiene, then put on gown, mask, eye protection,
and gloves in that order.
doffing of PPE —Answer: remove gloves first (to avoid contamination), then gown, eye
protection, and mask. Perform hand hygiene after each step
patient placement, transfer, and discharge —Answer: placement: patients are in appropriate
isolation rooms based on their infection type
transfer: ensure proper PPE use and infection control measures during patient ______ to
prevent spreading of infections
discharge: ensure patient is properly decontaminated (if needed) and provide instructions for
continued infection prevention at home
respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette —Answer: cover your mouth/nose with tissue or your
elbow when coughing/sneezing, dispose of tissues properly and wash hands afterwards,
encourage patients to wear masks when symptomatic, especially in healthcare settings
use of patient care products and medical equipment —Answer: clean and disinfect medical
equipment between uses, use single-use items when appropriate and discard after use,
regularly maintain and sterilize reusable equipment according to guidelines
principles of safe injection practices —Answer: always use a new, sterile syringe and needle for
each injection, never reuse syringes or needles even on the same patient, use single-dose vials
whenever possible. If using multi-dose vials, ensure proper techniques to avoid contamination,
follow proper procedures for storing and handling medication
Compounding medications —Answer: work in a clean, sterile environment to prevent
contamination, use sterile equipment and ingredients, follow guidelines for cleaning and
disinfecting compounding areas regularly, ensure that medications are prepared and stored
correctly to prevent bacterial growth
transmission based precautions —Answer: use when a patient is known or suspected to have
an infection that spreads through direct or indirect contact (via contaminated surfaces,
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Spaulding classification - critical —Answer: Enters sterile system or the vascular system and
therefore heightens the risk of infection if contaminated with microorganisms, including
bacterial spores. To process, sterilize according to MIFU and kept in their intact sterile
packaging before use. If single use, disposed of immediately after use.
Spaulding classification - semi-critical —Answer: comes into contact with mucous membranes
or non-intact skin. To process, sterilize according to MIFU. Heat sensitive items are processed
through high level disinfection between patient use according to MIFU or used as a single-use
item. Sterilization is preferred.
Spaulding classification - noncritical —Answer: comes into contact with intact skin, but not
mucous membranes. To process, disinfected or protected with barrier according to MIFU
Spaulding classification - single-use —Answer: Critical and semi-critical devices and
instruments that are labelled by the manufacturer to be used only once, as they cannot be
cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized reliably OR devices that are purchased with a MIFU that does
not contain reprocessing instructions. These items are not reprocessed.
Droplet transmission —Answer: coughs and sneezes can spread droplets of saliva and mucous.
>5 micrometers diameter and less than 6 ft of travel.
Airborne transmission —Answer: tiny particles, possibly produced by talking, as suspended in
the air for longer and travel further. <5 micrometers diameter and greater than 6ft of travel
appropriate practices for specimen collection —Answer: wear proper PPE, use aseptic
technique to minimize contamination, proper identification (label immediately), use of sterile
containers, avoid cross-contamination
appropriate practices for specimen transport —Answer: proper containment (usually with
biohazard bags), cold-chain maintenance (if required), timely delivery, documentation (keep
records of transport), ensure transport vehicles are clean
appropriate practices for specimen handling —Answer: minimum handling, use of biohazard
bags, work area is clean, centrifugation (if needed, ensure in proper BSL), proper sharps
handling
© 2025 All rights reserved
,appropriate practices for specimen storage —Answer: store at proper temperature, labelled
properly, proper separation and organization of specimens, strict access to specimens, monitor
conditions to ensure no changes, and clearly define expiration dates and dispose of when
expired
colonization —Answer: microorganisms live on body surface, but do not cause disease. No
symptoms, no immune response, harmless. No treatment needed, but the person can still be a
source of transmission.
infection —Answer: microorganisms invade the body, multiple, and cause tissue damage and
immune response. Symptoms present and immune system activated. Treatment needed and
can lead to complications if not treated
pseudo-infection (contamination) —Answer: microorganisms are introduced during specimen
collection or processing, not causing disease. No disease symptoms, false-positive lab results
due to external contamination. No treatment needed, but misdiagnosis can occur, leading to
unnecessary interventions
prophylactic antimicrobial use —Answer: administration of an antimicrobial agent to prevent
an infection before it occurs. Typically used in situations where a person is at high risk of
developing an infection due to surgery, immunosuppression, or exposure to a pathogen. For
example, antibiotics given before/after surgery to prevent SSI
empirical antimicrobial use —Answer: Initiated when a patient presents with symptoms of
infection, but the specific pathogen may has not yet been identified. In this case, broad-
spectrum antibiotics are often prescribed based on the most likely pathogens, local
epidemiology, and clinical presentation. Once lab results identify the causative organism, the
treatment can be adjusted
therapeutic antimicrobial use —Answer: use of antimicrobials to treat an established infection
where the causative organism has been identified (or strongly suspected) and is known to be
susceptible to the prescribed agent. This use is targeted and specific, aiming to eradicate
infection.
hand hygiene —Answer: perform before and after patient contact, before handling or eating
food, after using the restroom, and after handling any contaminated material. Use soap and
water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol when soap and
water aren't available
© 2025 All rights reserved
, appropriate availability, selection, use, and disposal of PPE —Answer: ensure PPE is readily
available in appropriate locations, use PPE based on the type of exposure risk, dispose of
properly after use (gloves should be discarded immediately after patient contact)
donning of PPE —Answer: start with hand hygiene, then put on gown, mask, eye protection,
and gloves in that order.
doffing of PPE —Answer: remove gloves first (to avoid contamination), then gown, eye
protection, and mask. Perform hand hygiene after each step
patient placement, transfer, and discharge —Answer: placement: patients are in appropriate
isolation rooms based on their infection type
transfer: ensure proper PPE use and infection control measures during patient ______ to
prevent spreading of infections
discharge: ensure patient is properly decontaminated (if needed) and provide instructions for
continued infection prevention at home
respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette —Answer: cover your mouth/nose with tissue or your
elbow when coughing/sneezing, dispose of tissues properly and wash hands afterwards,
encourage patients to wear masks when symptomatic, especially in healthcare settings
use of patient care products and medical equipment —Answer: clean and disinfect medical
equipment between uses, use single-use items when appropriate and discard after use,
regularly maintain and sterilize reusable equipment according to guidelines
principles of safe injection practices —Answer: always use a new, sterile syringe and needle for
each injection, never reuse syringes or needles even on the same patient, use single-dose vials
whenever possible. If using multi-dose vials, ensure proper techniques to avoid contamination,
follow proper procedures for storing and handling medication
Compounding medications —Answer: work in a clean, sterile environment to prevent
contamination, use sterile equipment and ingredients, follow guidelines for cleaning and
disinfecting compounding areas regularly, ensure that medications are prepared and stored
correctly to prevent bacterial growth
transmission based precautions —Answer: use when a patient is known or suspected to have
an infection that spreads through direct or indirect contact (via contaminated surfaces,
© 2025 All rights reserved
