Certified in Infection Control (CIC) exam
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, and
Detailed Explanations for Students||Already
Graded A+
1. What is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of
healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Use of gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Isolation precautions
D. Vaccination
Answer: B. Hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective and simplest way to prevent
transmission of infections in healthcare settings.
2. The primary mode of transmission for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is:
A. Droplet
B. Contact
C. Airborne
D. Vector-borne
Answer: B. Contact
Rationale: C. diff spores are transmitted via direct or indirect contact with
contaminated surfaces or hands.
3. Which of the following is considered a critical item that must be sterilized
before use?
A. Blood pressure cuff
B. Thermometer
C. Surgical instruments
D. Stethoscope
Answer: C. Surgical instruments
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the bloodstream and must be
free of all microorganisms, including spores.
4. What is the recommended duration for handwashing with soap and water
to prevent infection transmission?
,A. 5–10 seconds
B. 10–15 seconds
C. 20–30 seconds
D. 40–60 seconds
Answer: C. 20–30 seconds
Rationale: CDC guidelines recommend washing hands for 20–30 seconds to
effectively remove pathogens.
5. Which pathogen is most commonly associated with catheter-associated
urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Candida albicans
Answer: B. Escherichia coli
Rationale: E. coli is the predominant organism causing CAUTIs due to its
colonization of the urinary tract.
6. What type of isolation is required for a patient with measles?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Measles is transmitted via airborne particles and requires an
airborne isolation room with negative pressure.
7. Which of the following is an example of a standard precaution?
A. Wearing gloves when touching blood
B. Using a N95 respirator for TB patients
C. Placing a patient with influenza in a private room
D. Limiting visitors for immunocompromised patients
Answer: A. Wearing gloves when touching blood
Rationale: Standard precautions are applied to all patients regardless of
infection status and include PPE when exposure to blood or body fluids is
possible.
, 8. The incubation period for hepatitis B virus (HBV) typically ranges from:
A. 1–2 days
B. 3–6 days
C. 6–24 weeks
D. 1–2 years
Answer: C. 6–24 weeks
Rationale: HBV has a relatively long incubation period, which allows for
asymptomatic transmission.
9. Which of the following vaccines is recommended for healthcare workers to
prevent occupational infection?
A. Varicella
B. Influenza
C. Hepatitis B
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Healthcare workers should be immunized against vaccine-
preventable diseases to protect themselves and patients.
10. What is the primary reason for using alcohol-based hand rubs in
healthcare settings?
A. Cheaper than soap and water
B. Kills spores
C. Rapidly reduces microbial count on hands
D. Less irritating than soap
Answer: C. Rapidly reduces microbial count on hands
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are effective at reducing transient
microorganisms and are convenient when hands are not visibly soiled.
11. What is the major route of transmission for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals?
A. Airborne
B. Contact
C. Vector-borne
D. Droplet
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, and
Detailed Explanations for Students||Already
Graded A+
1. What is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of
healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Use of gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Isolation precautions
D. Vaccination
Answer: B. Hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective and simplest way to prevent
transmission of infections in healthcare settings.
2. The primary mode of transmission for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is:
A. Droplet
B. Contact
C. Airborne
D. Vector-borne
Answer: B. Contact
Rationale: C. diff spores are transmitted via direct or indirect contact with
contaminated surfaces or hands.
3. Which of the following is considered a critical item that must be sterilized
before use?
A. Blood pressure cuff
B. Thermometer
C. Surgical instruments
D. Stethoscope
Answer: C. Surgical instruments
Rationale: Critical items enter sterile tissue or the bloodstream and must be
free of all microorganisms, including spores.
4. What is the recommended duration for handwashing with soap and water
to prevent infection transmission?
,A. 5–10 seconds
B. 10–15 seconds
C. 20–30 seconds
D. 40–60 seconds
Answer: C. 20–30 seconds
Rationale: CDC guidelines recommend washing hands for 20–30 seconds to
effectively remove pathogens.
5. Which pathogen is most commonly associated with catheter-associated
urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Candida albicans
Answer: B. Escherichia coli
Rationale: E. coli is the predominant organism causing CAUTIs due to its
colonization of the urinary tract.
6. What type of isolation is required for a patient with measles?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Measles is transmitted via airborne particles and requires an
airborne isolation room with negative pressure.
7. Which of the following is an example of a standard precaution?
A. Wearing gloves when touching blood
B. Using a N95 respirator for TB patients
C. Placing a patient with influenza in a private room
D. Limiting visitors for immunocompromised patients
Answer: A. Wearing gloves when touching blood
Rationale: Standard precautions are applied to all patients regardless of
infection status and include PPE when exposure to blood or body fluids is
possible.
, 8. The incubation period for hepatitis B virus (HBV) typically ranges from:
A. 1–2 days
B. 3–6 days
C. 6–24 weeks
D. 1–2 years
Answer: C. 6–24 weeks
Rationale: HBV has a relatively long incubation period, which allows for
asymptomatic transmission.
9. Which of the following vaccines is recommended for healthcare workers to
prevent occupational infection?
A. Varicella
B. Influenza
C. Hepatitis B
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Healthcare workers should be immunized against vaccine-
preventable diseases to protect themselves and patients.
10. What is the primary reason for using alcohol-based hand rubs in
healthcare settings?
A. Cheaper than soap and water
B. Kills spores
C. Rapidly reduces microbial count on hands
D. Less irritating than soap
Answer: C. Rapidly reduces microbial count on hands
Rationale: Alcohol-based rubs are effective at reducing transient
microorganisms and are convenient when hands are not visibly soiled.
11. What is the major route of transmission for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals?
A. Airborne
B. Contact
C. Vector-borne
D. Droplet
