2026 Edition Infection Prevention and
Control Exam questions and verified
answers with rationale
1. Which term best describes infection prevention and
control (IPC)?
A. Treatment of infectious diseases only
B. Measures that prevent the spread of infections in
healthcare settings
C. Administration of antibiotics to all patients
D. Isolation of every admitted patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infection prevention and control consists of
evidence-based measures that reduce the risk of acquiring
and transmitting infections in healthcare and community
settings.
2. What is the most effective single measure for preventing
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing shoe covers
D. Patient isolation
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the
transmission of microorganisms between healthcare workers,
patients, and the environment.
3. Which microorganism is not classified as a bacterium?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Influenza virus
D. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Influenza is caused by a virus, whereas the other
organisms are bacteria.
4. The chain of infection consists of how many essential
links?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The six links are infectious agent, reservoir, portal
of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible
host.
,5. Which link in the chain of infection refers to where
microorganisms normally live?
A. Reservoir
B. Host
C. Vector
D. Portal of entry
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The reservoir is the natural habitat where
microorganisms survive and multiply.
6. Which of the following is an example of direct contact
transmission?
A. Mosquito bite
B. Handshake with an infected person
C. Contaminated food
D. Airborne dust particles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct contact transmission occurs through
physical contact between individuals.
7. Which practice breaks the mode of transmission in the
chain of infection?
A. Proper hand hygiene
B. Increasing patient age
, C. Genetic testing
D. Nutritional assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene interrupts the transfer of
microorganisms between individuals.
8. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes:
A. Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection
B. Uniform and shoes only
C. Soap and water
D. Bed linen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PPE protects healthcare workers and patients from
exposure to infectious materials.
9. Gloves should be worn:
A. For every activity regardless of exposure
B. When contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated
C. Only during surgery
D. Only when patients request them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves are indicated whenever exposure to blood,
body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is
expected.
Control Exam questions and verified
answers with rationale
1. Which term best describes infection prevention and
control (IPC)?
A. Treatment of infectious diseases only
B. Measures that prevent the spread of infections in
healthcare settings
C. Administration of antibiotics to all patients
D. Isolation of every admitted patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infection prevention and control consists of
evidence-based measures that reduce the risk of acquiring
and transmitting infections in healthcare and community
settings.
2. What is the most effective single measure for preventing
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing shoe covers
D. Patient isolation
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the
transmission of microorganisms between healthcare workers,
patients, and the environment.
3. Which microorganism is not classified as a bacterium?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Influenza virus
D. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Influenza is caused by a virus, whereas the other
organisms are bacteria.
4. The chain of infection consists of how many essential
links?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The six links are infectious agent, reservoir, portal
of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible
host.
,5. Which link in the chain of infection refers to where
microorganisms normally live?
A. Reservoir
B. Host
C. Vector
D. Portal of entry
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The reservoir is the natural habitat where
microorganisms survive and multiply.
6. Which of the following is an example of direct contact
transmission?
A. Mosquito bite
B. Handshake with an infected person
C. Contaminated food
D. Airborne dust particles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Direct contact transmission occurs through
physical contact between individuals.
7. Which practice breaks the mode of transmission in the
chain of infection?
A. Proper hand hygiene
B. Increasing patient age
, C. Genetic testing
D. Nutritional assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene interrupts the transfer of
microorganisms between individuals.
8. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes:
A. Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection
B. Uniform and shoes only
C. Soap and water
D. Bed linen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PPE protects healthcare workers and patients from
exposure to infectious materials.
9. Gloves should be worn:
A. For every activity regardless of exposure
B. When contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated
C. Only during surgery
D. Only when patients request them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves are indicated whenever exposure to blood,
body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is
expected.
