a-IPC Exam Study Guide (Practice Test #2) Questions
With Correct Solutions
Introduction
This Practice Test #2 simulates the associate-level Infection Prevention & Control (a-
IPC) certification examination developed by CBIC. The questions drill every major
domain—core infection-prevention science, surveillance methods, transmission-based
precautions, device reprocessing, healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention,
occupational health, and special-settings challenges. Content is current with 2024–2025
CDC guidelines, APIC Text 6th Ed. highlights, and the published a-IPC content outline.
Use this test to verify mastery, identify weak knowledge areas, and build exam-day
confidence.
Question 1
A 14-bed burn ICU experienced three new cases of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (CRPA) BSI over 14 days. The attack rate among patients with central lines
was 3 of 25 (12 %). The IP’s first analytic step should be:
A. Close the unit to new admissions
B. Perform a point-prevalence culture survey of all patients
C. Create an epidemic curve and review line-insertion dates
D. Empirically switch all antibiotic therapy to ceftolozane-tazobactam
Answer: C. Create an epidemic curve and review line-insertion dates
Solution: An epidemic curve clarifies whether cases represent a point-source,
continuous, or propagated outbreak; pairing this with line-insertion dates tests the
hypothesis that central lines are the vehicle. Option A is premature without
transmission evidence. Point-prevalence cultures (B) may be useful later but are
resource-intensive before case definition. Changing antibiotics (D) is a clinical decision,
not an IP epidemiologic step.
Question 2
Which best demonstrates the “bioburden-reduction” phase of surgical-instrument
reprocessing?
A. Automated mechanical cleaning in a washer-disinfector
B. Steam sterilization at 132 °C for 4 minutes
C. Immediate point-of-use wiping by the scrub tech
D. Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization
Answer: A. Automated mechanical cleaning in a washer-disinfector
Solution: Washer-disinfectors use enzymatic detergent + mechanical action to remove
, >99 % of bioburden—this is the critical cleaning phase. Point-of-use wiping (C) is
important but removes only superficial soil. Steam (B) and plasma (D) are terminal
sterilization steps, not bioburden reduction.
Question 3
A patient on Contact Precautions for VRE is scheduled for CT scan. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Transport the patient wearing only a cloth gown to save laundry
B. Send the patient in a clean wheelchair, then disinfect the scanner with 70 % alcohol
after
C. Use a dedicated scanner; if not possible, schedule last and perform low-level
disinfection afterward
D. Cancel all elective scans for the remainder of the day
Answer: C. Use a dedicated scanner; if not possible, schedule last and perform
low-level disinfection afterward
Solution: CDC 2023 isolation guidance recommends scheduling resistant-organism
patients at the end of the day when dedicated equipment is unavailable, followed by
standard low-level disinfection (quat or bleach) to remove vegetative bacteria. Alcohol
(B) lacks activity against VRE in biofilm. Option A risks environmental contamination; D
is excessive.
Question 4
A new employee sustains a needle-stick 30 minutes after administering an influenza
vaccine. Source patient is unknown. Employee hepatitis B surface antibody titer is < 10
mIU/mL. The correct management is:
A. Observe only; influenza vaccine is low-risk
B. Begin 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series today and test source for HBsAg
C. Give 1 dose hepatitis B vaccine plus HBIG now
D. Start post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV immediately
Answer: C. Give 1 dose hepatitis B vaccine plus HBIG now
Solution: Non-immune (titer < 10) workers require both HBIG and vaccine as soon as
possible (preferably < 24 h) when the source is unknown but could be high-risk. Option
B omits HBIG; D is unnecessary without HIV exposure history.
Question 5
During a C. difficile outbreak, which environmental sampling method is validated for
spore recovery?
With Correct Solutions
Introduction
This Practice Test #2 simulates the associate-level Infection Prevention & Control (a-
IPC) certification examination developed by CBIC. The questions drill every major
domain—core infection-prevention science, surveillance methods, transmission-based
precautions, device reprocessing, healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention,
occupational health, and special-settings challenges. Content is current with 2024–2025
CDC guidelines, APIC Text 6th Ed. highlights, and the published a-IPC content outline.
Use this test to verify mastery, identify weak knowledge areas, and build exam-day
confidence.
Question 1
A 14-bed burn ICU experienced three new cases of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (CRPA) BSI over 14 days. The attack rate among patients with central lines
was 3 of 25 (12 %). The IP’s first analytic step should be:
A. Close the unit to new admissions
B. Perform a point-prevalence culture survey of all patients
C. Create an epidemic curve and review line-insertion dates
D. Empirically switch all antibiotic therapy to ceftolozane-tazobactam
Answer: C. Create an epidemic curve and review line-insertion dates
Solution: An epidemic curve clarifies whether cases represent a point-source,
continuous, or propagated outbreak; pairing this with line-insertion dates tests the
hypothesis that central lines are the vehicle. Option A is premature without
transmission evidence. Point-prevalence cultures (B) may be useful later but are
resource-intensive before case definition. Changing antibiotics (D) is a clinical decision,
not an IP epidemiologic step.
Question 2
Which best demonstrates the “bioburden-reduction” phase of surgical-instrument
reprocessing?
A. Automated mechanical cleaning in a washer-disinfector
B. Steam sterilization at 132 °C for 4 minutes
C. Immediate point-of-use wiping by the scrub tech
D. Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization
Answer: A. Automated mechanical cleaning in a washer-disinfector
Solution: Washer-disinfectors use enzymatic detergent + mechanical action to remove
, >99 % of bioburden—this is the critical cleaning phase. Point-of-use wiping (C) is
important but removes only superficial soil. Steam (B) and plasma (D) are terminal
sterilization steps, not bioburden reduction.
Question 3
A patient on Contact Precautions for VRE is scheduled for CT scan. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Transport the patient wearing only a cloth gown to save laundry
B. Send the patient in a clean wheelchair, then disinfect the scanner with 70 % alcohol
after
C. Use a dedicated scanner; if not possible, schedule last and perform low-level
disinfection afterward
D. Cancel all elective scans for the remainder of the day
Answer: C. Use a dedicated scanner; if not possible, schedule last and perform
low-level disinfection afterward
Solution: CDC 2023 isolation guidance recommends scheduling resistant-organism
patients at the end of the day when dedicated equipment is unavailable, followed by
standard low-level disinfection (quat or bleach) to remove vegetative bacteria. Alcohol
(B) lacks activity against VRE in biofilm. Option A risks environmental contamination; D
is excessive.
Question 4
A new employee sustains a needle-stick 30 minutes after administering an influenza
vaccine. Source patient is unknown. Employee hepatitis B surface antibody titer is < 10
mIU/mL. The correct management is:
A. Observe only; influenza vaccine is low-risk
B. Begin 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series today and test source for HBsAg
C. Give 1 dose hepatitis B vaccine plus HBIG now
D. Start post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV immediately
Answer: C. Give 1 dose hepatitis B vaccine plus HBIG now
Solution: Non-immune (titer < 10) workers require both HBIG and vaccine as soon as
possible (preferably < 24 h) when the source is unknown but could be high-risk. Option
B omits HBIG; D is unnecessary without HIV exposure history.
Question 5
During a C. difficile outbreak, which environmental sampling method is validated for
spore recovery?
