1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
Absence of symptoms eliminates transmission risk. Explain.
False. Asymptomatic and colonized individuals may still shed organisms and transmit infection
to others.
All positive laboratory findings require antimicrobial treatment. Explain.
False. Laboratory findings must be interpreted within the clinical context because colonization,
contamination, and pseudo-infection do not always require treatment.
All reusable medical devices require sterilization. Explain.
False. Reprocessing requirements depend on the device's intended use according to
Spaulding Classification. Some devices require only disinfection.
Annual fit testing eliminates the need for a user seal check each time a respirator is worn.
Explain.
False. Fit testing confirms respirator fit periodically, but a user seal check is required each time
the respirator is worn to ensure proper protection.
Automated equipment that cleans and often disinfects instruments using validated cycles is
called a washer-__________.
Disinfector.
A blood culture is collected after antibiotics are started. What problem may occur?
False-negative results due to suppression of microbial growth.
Breaking any link in the ________ of infection can prevent disease transmission.
Chain.
Can colonized individuals shed pathogens?
Yes. Colonized individuals may serve as reservoirs and contribute to transmission despite
lacking symptoms.
A chemical indicator alone proves a load is sterile. Explain.
False. Chemical indicators verify exposure to conditions but do not guarantee complete
sterilization.
Clean and dirty instruments may be processed in the same area if staff are careful. Explain.
False. Physical separation is necessary to reduce cross-contamination and maintain process
integrity.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
A cluster of infections is linked to one procedure room. What investigation step is essential?
Environmental assessment of cleaning practices, equipment, and workflow processes.
A cluster of positive cultures originates from one bronchoscope. What should be suspected?
Possible pseudo-outbreak due to contaminated equipment or reprocessing failure.
A community of microorganisms attached to surfaces and protected by a matrix is called a
________.
Biofilm.
Completion of a training module guarantees competency. Explain.
False. Completion demonstrates participation but does not necessarily verify knowledge
retention or skill performance.
A contaminated blood pressure cuff contributes to pathogen spread. What type of transmission
source is this?
A fomite.
Contamination can lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use. Explain.
True. Misinterpreted culture results may prompt inappropriate treatment and stewardship
concerns.
A culture grows skin flora from one blood culture bottle without symptoms. Colonization,
contamination, or infection?
Most likely contamination, pending clinical assessment.
Define an infectious disease process in the context of infection prevention and control.
An infectious disease process is the sequence of events by which a pathogen enters a
susceptible host, survives, multiplies, evades host defenses, causes tissue damage, and
potentially spreads to others. Understanding this process helps identify prevention
opportunities.
Define antibiogram.
A cumulative summary of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates collected
within a healthcare facility over a specified period.
Define attack rate.
The proportion of exposed individuals who become ill during an outbreak. It is commonly used
during outbreak investigations.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
Define attack rate.
The proportion of exposed individuals who develop disease during an outbreak.
Define communicable disease.
A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent that can be transmitted
directly or indirectly from one person, animal, or environmental source to another susceptible
host.
Define data validation.
The process of verifying surveillance data for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and
reliability.
Define denominator creep.
Denominator creep occurs when the denominator increases disproportionately relative to the
numerator, potentially making infection rates appear artificially lower.
Define direct contact transmission.
Transfer of microorganisms through physical person-to-person contact without an intermediary
object.
Define endemic disease.
A disease consistently present at an expected baseline level within a population or geographic
area.
Define endemic rate.
The expected baseline frequency of a disease within a specific population or healthcare
setting.
Define epidemic.
Occurrence of disease cases exceeding expected levels within a specific community or region.
Define epidemic threshold.
The level above which disease occurrence exceeds expected baseline levels and may indicate
an outbreak.
Define epidemiology.
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events within populations and
the application of findings to control disease.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
Define host immunity.
The body's ability to resist infection through innate and adaptive defense mechanisms.
Define incubation period.
The time between pathogen exposure and onset of symptoms.
Define indirect contact transmission.
Transfer of microorganisms through contaminated objects, equipment, or environmental
surfaces.
Define opportunistic pathogen.
A microorganism that causes disease primarily when host defenses are compromised.
Define outbreak.
The occurrence of disease cases in excess of expected levels within a specific population,
place, or time period.
Define pandemic.
An epidemic that spreads across multiple countries or continents affecting large populations.
Define pseudo-infection.
Pseudo-infection is the apparent occurrence of infection due to contamination of specimens,
laboratory errors, or environmental sources rather than true patient infection.
Define pseudo-outbreak.
A false appearance of an outbreak caused by contamination, testing errors, or surveillance
artifacts rather than true transmission.
Define reservoir in the chain of infection.
The natural habitat where a microorganism normally lives, grows, and multiplies.
Define source control.
Measures taken to contain infectious agents at their source, such as masking symptomatic
patients and covering respiratory secretions.
Page 4
Absence of symptoms eliminates transmission risk. Explain.
False. Asymptomatic and colonized individuals may still shed organisms and transmit infection
to others.
All positive laboratory findings require antimicrobial treatment. Explain.
False. Laboratory findings must be interpreted within the clinical context because colonization,
contamination, and pseudo-infection do not always require treatment.
All reusable medical devices require sterilization. Explain.
False. Reprocessing requirements depend on the device's intended use according to
Spaulding Classification. Some devices require only disinfection.
Annual fit testing eliminates the need for a user seal check each time a respirator is worn.
Explain.
False. Fit testing confirms respirator fit periodically, but a user seal check is required each time
the respirator is worn to ensure proper protection.
Automated equipment that cleans and often disinfects instruments using validated cycles is
called a washer-__________.
Disinfector.
A blood culture is collected after antibiotics are started. What problem may occur?
False-negative results due to suppression of microbial growth.
Breaking any link in the ________ of infection can prevent disease transmission.
Chain.
Can colonized individuals shed pathogens?
Yes. Colonized individuals may serve as reservoirs and contribute to transmission despite
lacking symptoms.
A chemical indicator alone proves a load is sterile. Explain.
False. Chemical indicators verify exposure to conditions but do not guarantee complete
sterilization.
Clean and dirty instruments may be processed in the same area if staff are careful. Explain.
False. Physical separation is necessary to reduce cross-contamination and maintain process
integrity.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
A cluster of infections is linked to one procedure room. What investigation step is essential?
Environmental assessment of cleaning practices, equipment, and workflow processes.
A cluster of positive cultures originates from one bronchoscope. What should be suspected?
Possible pseudo-outbreak due to contaminated equipment or reprocessing failure.
A community of microorganisms attached to surfaces and protected by a matrix is called a
________.
Biofilm.
Completion of a training module guarantees competency. Explain.
False. Completion demonstrates participation but does not necessarily verify knowledge
retention or skill performance.
A contaminated blood pressure cuff contributes to pathogen spread. What type of transmission
source is this?
A fomite.
Contamination can lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use. Explain.
True. Misinterpreted culture results may prompt inappropriate treatment and stewardship
concerns.
A culture grows skin flora from one blood culture bottle without symptoms. Colonization,
contamination, or infection?
Most likely contamination, pending clinical assessment.
Define an infectious disease process in the context of infection prevention and control.
An infectious disease process is the sequence of events by which a pathogen enters a
susceptible host, survives, multiplies, evades host defenses, causes tissue damage, and
potentially spreads to others. Understanding this process helps identify prevention
opportunities.
Define antibiogram.
A cumulative summary of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates collected
within a healthcare facility over a specified period.
Define attack rate.
The proportion of exposed individuals who become ill during an outbreak. It is commonly used
during outbreak investigations.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
Define attack rate.
The proportion of exposed individuals who develop disease during an outbreak.
Define communicable disease.
A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent that can be transmitted
directly or indirectly from one person, animal, or environmental source to another susceptible
host.
Define data validation.
The process of verifying surveillance data for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and
reliability.
Define denominator creep.
Denominator creep occurs when the denominator increases disproportionately relative to the
numerator, potentially making infection rates appear artificially lower.
Define direct contact transmission.
Transfer of microorganisms through physical person-to-person contact without an intermediary
object.
Define endemic disease.
A disease consistently present at an expected baseline level within a population or geographic
area.
Define endemic rate.
The expected baseline frequency of a disease within a specific population or healthcare
setting.
Define epidemic.
Occurrence of disease cases exceeding expected levels within a specific community or region.
Define epidemic threshold.
The level above which disease occurrence exceeds expected baseline levels and may indicate
an outbreak.
Define epidemiology.
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events within populations and
the application of findings to control disease.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam
Define host immunity.
The body's ability to resist infection through innate and adaptive defense mechanisms.
Define incubation period.
The time between pathogen exposure and onset of symptoms.
Define indirect contact transmission.
Transfer of microorganisms through contaminated objects, equipment, or environmental
surfaces.
Define opportunistic pathogen.
A microorganism that causes disease primarily when host defenses are compromised.
Define outbreak.
The occurrence of disease cases in excess of expected levels within a specific population,
place, or time period.
Define pandemic.
An epidemic that spreads across multiple countries or continents affecting large populations.
Define pseudo-infection.
Pseudo-infection is the apparent occurrence of infection due to contamination of specimens,
laboratory errors, or environmental sources rather than true patient infection.
Define pseudo-outbreak.
A false appearance of an outbreak caused by contamination, testing errors, or surveillance
artifacts rather than true transmission.
Define reservoir in the chain of infection.
The natural habitat where a microorganism normally lives, grows, and multiplies.
Define source control.
Measures taken to contain infectious agents at their source, such as masking symptomatic
patients and covering respiratory secretions.
Page 4
