CNT WRITTEN EXAM VERSION 3 2025/2026 –
COMPLETE QUESTIONS 1-200
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales | Latest Update
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
(Questions 1-50)
1. According to Standard Precautions, healthcare workers should treat all patients
as if they:
A) Are free of infections
B) Carry infections and may be immunocompromised
C) Have only bloodborne pathogens
D) Are allergic to latex
Correct Answer: B) Carry infections and may be immunocompromised
Rationale: Standard Precautions require treating all patients as if they carry infections and
are immunocompromised. This universal approach protects both practitioners and patients
by assuming all blood, body fluids, and tissues are potentially infectious .
2. The first step in responding to needle faintness (vasovagal response) is:
A) Administering oxygen
B) Removing the needles
C) Elevating the patient's legs
D) Calling 911
Correct Answer: B) Removing the needles
Rationale: The first step when a patient experiences needle faintness is to remove all
,needles immediately. This removes the stimulus and allows for proper assessment and
management of the patient's condition .
3. Which bloodborne pathogen is most easily transmitted through sharing
personal items such as razors or toothbrushes?
A) HIV
B) HCV
C) HBV
D) All of the above equally
Correct Answer: C) HBV
Rationale: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly infectious and can survive outside the body for
up to 7 days. It is the most easily transmitted bloodborne pathogen through sharing
personal items that may have microscopic blood contamination .
4. What is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the United States?
A) HIV
B) HBV
C) HCV
D) HTLV
Correct Answer: C) HCV
Rationale: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the United
States, affecting millions of Americans. It is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood
contact .
5. Seroconversion to HIV after a needlestick injury from a known carrier is:
A) Greater than 50%
B) Approximately 10-20%
C) Less than 1%
D) 5-10%
,Correct Answer: C) Less than 1%
Rationale: The risk of HIV seroconversion following a needlestick injury from a known
carrier is approximately 0.3% (less than 1%). This is significantly lower than the
transmission risk for HBV and HCV .
6. Healthcare workers must be offered which vaccine by their employer?
A) Hepatitis C vaccine
B) Hepatitis B vaccine
C) HIV vaccine
D) Influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: B) Hepatitis B vaccine
Rationale: The Hepatitis B vaccine is required to be offered to all healthcare workers by
their employer. Hepatitis B is highly infectious and poses a significant occupational risk .
7. The hepatitis A virus is primarily transmitted through:
A) Blood transfusion
B) Fecal-contaminated food and water
C) Sexual contact only
D) Respiratory droplets
Correct Answer: B) Fecal-contaminated food and water
Rationale: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, primarily through
ingestion of fecal-contaminated food and water. It can also spread through contaminated
hands and sexual contact .
8. A nosocomial infection is defined as:
A) An infection acquired in the community
B) An infection acquired in a healthcare setting
C) An infection from a contaminated needle
D) An infection that is drug-resistant
, Correct Answer: B) An infection acquired in a healthcare setting
Rationale: A nosocomial infection is an infection that is acquired in a healthcare setting.
These infections can be prevented through proper infection control practices including
hand hygiene and Standard Precautions .
9. To prevent the spread of gastrointestinal pathogens, the best practice is:
A) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
B) Wash hands with soap and water
C) Wear gloves at all times
D) Use disinfectant wipes
Correct Answer: B) Wash hands with soap and water
Rationale: For gastrointestinal pathogens, hand washing with soap and water is preferred
over alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Many GI pathogens (such as Clostridium difficile) are
not effectively killed by alcohol-based sanitizers .
10. One in three people are carriers of which pathogen on their skin?
A) Streptococcus
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) E. coli
D) Pseudomonas
Correct Answer: B) Staphylococcus aureus
Rationale: Approximately one in three people are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus on
their skin. This common pathogen can cause infections if introduced through broken skin
or needlestick injuries .
11. Which of the following is TRUE about HIV transmission?
A) HIV can only be transmitted through unprotected sex with same-sex partners
B) HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk
C) HIV can be transmitted through casual contact
D) HIV cannot be transmitted through needlestick injuries
COMPLETE QUESTIONS 1-200
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales | Latest Update
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
(Questions 1-50)
1. According to Standard Precautions, healthcare workers should treat all patients
as if they:
A) Are free of infections
B) Carry infections and may be immunocompromised
C) Have only bloodborne pathogens
D) Are allergic to latex
Correct Answer: B) Carry infections and may be immunocompromised
Rationale: Standard Precautions require treating all patients as if they carry infections and
are immunocompromised. This universal approach protects both practitioners and patients
by assuming all blood, body fluids, and tissues are potentially infectious .
2. The first step in responding to needle faintness (vasovagal response) is:
A) Administering oxygen
B) Removing the needles
C) Elevating the patient's legs
D) Calling 911
Correct Answer: B) Removing the needles
Rationale: The first step when a patient experiences needle faintness is to remove all
,needles immediately. This removes the stimulus and allows for proper assessment and
management of the patient's condition .
3. Which bloodborne pathogen is most easily transmitted through sharing
personal items such as razors or toothbrushes?
A) HIV
B) HCV
C) HBV
D) All of the above equally
Correct Answer: C) HBV
Rationale: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly infectious and can survive outside the body for
up to 7 days. It is the most easily transmitted bloodborne pathogen through sharing
personal items that may have microscopic blood contamination .
4. What is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the United States?
A) HIV
B) HBV
C) HCV
D) HTLV
Correct Answer: C) HCV
Rationale: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the United
States, affecting millions of Americans. It is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood
contact .
5. Seroconversion to HIV after a needlestick injury from a known carrier is:
A) Greater than 50%
B) Approximately 10-20%
C) Less than 1%
D) 5-10%
,Correct Answer: C) Less than 1%
Rationale: The risk of HIV seroconversion following a needlestick injury from a known
carrier is approximately 0.3% (less than 1%). This is significantly lower than the
transmission risk for HBV and HCV .
6. Healthcare workers must be offered which vaccine by their employer?
A) Hepatitis C vaccine
B) Hepatitis B vaccine
C) HIV vaccine
D) Influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: B) Hepatitis B vaccine
Rationale: The Hepatitis B vaccine is required to be offered to all healthcare workers by
their employer. Hepatitis B is highly infectious and poses a significant occupational risk .
7. The hepatitis A virus is primarily transmitted through:
A) Blood transfusion
B) Fecal-contaminated food and water
C) Sexual contact only
D) Respiratory droplets
Correct Answer: B) Fecal-contaminated food and water
Rationale: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, primarily through
ingestion of fecal-contaminated food and water. It can also spread through contaminated
hands and sexual contact .
8. A nosocomial infection is defined as:
A) An infection acquired in the community
B) An infection acquired in a healthcare setting
C) An infection from a contaminated needle
D) An infection that is drug-resistant
, Correct Answer: B) An infection acquired in a healthcare setting
Rationale: A nosocomial infection is an infection that is acquired in a healthcare setting.
These infections can be prevented through proper infection control practices including
hand hygiene and Standard Precautions .
9. To prevent the spread of gastrointestinal pathogens, the best practice is:
A) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
B) Wash hands with soap and water
C) Wear gloves at all times
D) Use disinfectant wipes
Correct Answer: B) Wash hands with soap and water
Rationale: For gastrointestinal pathogens, hand washing with soap and water is preferred
over alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Many GI pathogens (such as Clostridium difficile) are
not effectively killed by alcohol-based sanitizers .
10. One in three people are carriers of which pathogen on their skin?
A) Streptococcus
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) E. coli
D) Pseudomonas
Correct Answer: B) Staphylococcus aureus
Rationale: Approximately one in three people are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus on
their skin. This common pathogen can cause infections if introduced through broken skin
or needlestick injuries .
11. Which of the following is TRUE about HIV transmission?
A) HIV can only be transmitted through unprotected sex with same-sex partners
B) HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk
C) HIV can be transmitted through casual contact
D) HIV cannot be transmitted through needlestick injuries
