CDC Infection Preventionist Post Test Questions and Answers Latest with Rationales
1. A nurse assistant is about to perform perineal care on an incontinent resident who wears briefs. His
supplies have already been gathered and placed on the clean bedsid e table. He enters the room,
dons’ non-sterile gloves, removes and discards the resident's soiled brief and cleans the resident's
perineum. He removes his soiled gloves and dons a new pair of non-sterile gloves. He applies a
clean brief. He discards his gloves and exists the room. How many times should he have
performed hand hygiene in this scenario? Please select the best answer.
A)1
B)2
C)3
D)Hand hygien e was not required because gloves were worn.
Ration ale: The nurse assistant should have performed hand hygiene 3 times in this scenario. First, he
should have performed hand hygiene before donning the non-sterile gloves to address the indication
before touching a resident. Second, he should have performed hand hygiene after removing his first pair
of gloves, before donning the second pair of gloves. This one act would address several indications: After a
blood or body fluid exposure; after glove removal; and moving from a dirty task to a clean task. Third,
performing hand hygiene after removing the second pair of gloves addresses the indications after glove
removal and after touching the resident. (Module 7)
2. A resident is diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI). Is there risk that the resident will transm it
TB to others in the facility? Please select the best answer.
A) No, there is no risk of transmission at this time
B) Yes, the resident is very likely to transmit infection to those who are immunocompromised
C)No, the resident is not a risk because he/she will be placed in Airborne Precautions
D)Yes, the resident is likely to transmit infection to close contacts
Rationale: A resident with LTBI has M. tuberculosis in the body but does not have signs or symptoms of
TB disease and cannot spread the infection to other people. Airborne Precautions are not required when
caring for residents with LTBI. (Module 12b)
3. After you have scored the infection prevention and control (IPC) risk assessment, which of the
following actions would you take first to address the finding s? Please select the best answer.
A) Develop a performance improvement effort
B) Identify high-scoring items for IPC program prioritization
C)Develop new (or review existing) IPC policies and procedures
D)Provide education and training for staff
Ration ale: The first step would be to identify the high-scoring items for IPC program prioritization.
Subsequent actions to address high-scoring items might include developing a performance improvement
effort, developing or review ing IPC policies and procedures, or provid ing education and training for staff.
(Module 1)
4. As a result of lessons learned from outbreak s of multidrug -resistant organism s (MDROs) in nursing
homes, which of the following situations should warrant use of Contact Precautions and
consideration of a single-person room for MDRO-colonized residents? Please select all that apply.
, A) Residents with difficulty containing secretions from sites of MDRO colonization and potential for
extensive environmental contamination
B) New residents on the unit are found to be colonized with the MDRO (evidenc e of ongoing
transmission) despite efforts to control spread
C)Residents with minimal medical or nursing care needs who are able to move independently
throug hout the facility
D)Residents receiving antibiotics
Ration ale: Nursing homes should implement Contact Precautions with consideration of single-p erson
rooms for MDRO colonized residents when there is difficulty containing secretions from sites of colonization
that could result in extensive environm ental contamination and when there is evidence of ongoing
transmission despite efforts to control spread of an MDRO. While Enhanced Barrier Precautions might be
considered during high contact care activities for certain residents with risk factors, regardless of MDRO
colonization status, highly independent residents or those receiving antibiotic s would not warrant Contact
Precautions even if MDRO colonized without those characteristics. (Module 6b)
5. At what stage of an investig ation would you notify local or state public health officials that you have
an outbreak? Please select the best answer
A) Once an outbreak case definition has been developed
B) Once an outbreak has not been controlled by infection prevention and control (IPC) measures
C)Once an outbreak has been determined to exist
D)Once an outbreak has been evaluated and summarized in a written report
Ration ale: A facility should notify local or state public health officials as soon as an outbreak has been
determined to exist. (Module 5)
6. Before performing wound care, if the hands are not visibly soiled, which method of hand hygiene by
staff members is preferred? Please select the best answer.
A) Using an alcohol-b ased hand rub
B) Washing hands with soap and water, followed immediately by use of an alcohol-based hand rub
C)None. Since gloves should be worn when performing wound care, hand hygiene is not necessary
D)Non e of the above
Ration ale: Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method of hand hygiene in most clinical situations,
including this scenario. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly soiled. If hand hygiene is
performed with soap and water, it is not necessary to then immediately use an alcohol -based hand rub.
Hand hygiene should be performed before touching a resident, even if gloves will be worn. (Module 7)
7. During January, there were five residents with central venous catheters (CVCs) for a total of 100
catheter-days. There were 4,000 resident-days for the month. There were two central line-
associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) identified. What is the CLABSI rate for the month?
Please select the best answer.
A)1.3 CLABSI per 1,000 resident-days
B)2 CLABSI per 1,000 catheter-days
C)5 CLABSI per 1,000 resident-days
D)20 CLABSI per 1,000 catheter-days
, Ration ale: When calculating an infection rate, the denominator represents the population at risk for the
event during the timefram e defined for surveillance. Because only residents with a CVC can experience a
CLABSI, the correct denominator only counts the days when residents had the device. In this example, the
denominator would be 100 catheter-days. The numerator is the total number of CLABSI s occurring during
the timeframe of interest. In this example, there are two CLABSIs. A constant, k, of 1,000 is used to
standardize the rate. Therefore, the CLABSI rate calculation is two events divided by 100 catheter -days
multiplied by 1,000, which equals 20 CLABSIs per 1,000 catheter -days. (Module 4)
8. During the previous influenza vaccine season, 120 residents receiv ed the influenza vaccine. 80
residents declined the vaccine. Which of the following is the correct resident influenza vaccination
acceptance rate? Please select the best answer.
A)40 perce nt
B)60 percen t
C)67 perce nt
D)80 perce nt
Ration ale: For process measure surveillanc e, the numerator represents the number of individuals
adherent to a practice, and the denominator represents the number of opportunities to perform the
practice. In this example, the numerator is 120, or the number of residents who received the influenza
vaccine. The denominator is the total number of residents eligible to receiv e the vaccine, which is 200 (120
residents who receiv ed the vaccine plus 80 residents who declined it). The vaccine acceptance rate
calculation is 120 divided by 200 multiplied by 100, which equals 60 percent. (Module 4)
9. During which of the following situations should a gown be considered in addition to gloves during
care of a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter? Please select the best answer.
A) As a strateg y to prevent spread of multidrug -resistant organisms (MDROs) when handling the
indwelling urinary catheter
B) If there is potential for splash or spills when emptying a collection bag
C)To prevent spread of pathog ens during care of residents placed in Contact Precautions
D)All of the above
Ration ale: Given the risk of MDRO colonization of medical devices, use of a gown should be consid ered in
addition to gloves as a strateg y for preventing spread of MDROs when handling indwelling urinary
catheters. Gowns should be worn if there is potential for splash or spills when emptying a urinary collection
bag as part of Standard Precautions and used to prevent spread of pathog ens during care of residents
placed in Contact Precautions. (Module 6b)
10. For residents admitted to a nursing home on a course of antibiotics started in a hospital, which
pieces of information would be important to know? Please select the best answer.
A) Indication for the antibiotic course
B) Dose of the antibiotic
C)Duration of the antibiotic course
D)All of the above
Ration ale: Important antibiotic use information for receiving provid ers includes the indication, dose and
schedule, and duration of the antibiotic course. (Module 14)
1. A nurse assistant is about to perform perineal care on an incontinent resident who wears briefs. His
supplies have already been gathered and placed on the clean bedsid e table. He enters the room,
dons’ non-sterile gloves, removes and discards the resident's soiled brief and cleans the resident's
perineum. He removes his soiled gloves and dons a new pair of non-sterile gloves. He applies a
clean brief. He discards his gloves and exists the room. How many times should he have
performed hand hygiene in this scenario? Please select the best answer.
A)1
B)2
C)3
D)Hand hygien e was not required because gloves were worn.
Ration ale: The nurse assistant should have performed hand hygiene 3 times in this scenario. First, he
should have performed hand hygiene before donning the non-sterile gloves to address the indication
before touching a resident. Second, he should have performed hand hygiene after removing his first pair
of gloves, before donning the second pair of gloves. This one act would address several indications: After a
blood or body fluid exposure; after glove removal; and moving from a dirty task to a clean task. Third,
performing hand hygiene after removing the second pair of gloves addresses the indications after glove
removal and after touching the resident. (Module 7)
2. A resident is diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI). Is there risk that the resident will transm it
TB to others in the facility? Please select the best answer.
A) No, there is no risk of transmission at this time
B) Yes, the resident is very likely to transmit infection to those who are immunocompromised
C)No, the resident is not a risk because he/she will be placed in Airborne Precautions
D)Yes, the resident is likely to transmit infection to close contacts
Rationale: A resident with LTBI has M. tuberculosis in the body but does not have signs or symptoms of
TB disease and cannot spread the infection to other people. Airborne Precautions are not required when
caring for residents with LTBI. (Module 12b)
3. After you have scored the infection prevention and control (IPC) risk assessment, which of the
following actions would you take first to address the finding s? Please select the best answer.
A) Develop a performance improvement effort
B) Identify high-scoring items for IPC program prioritization
C)Develop new (or review existing) IPC policies and procedures
D)Provide education and training for staff
Ration ale: The first step would be to identify the high-scoring items for IPC program prioritization.
Subsequent actions to address high-scoring items might include developing a performance improvement
effort, developing or review ing IPC policies and procedures, or provid ing education and training for staff.
(Module 1)
4. As a result of lessons learned from outbreak s of multidrug -resistant organism s (MDROs) in nursing
homes, which of the following situations should warrant use of Contact Precautions and
consideration of a single-person room for MDRO-colonized residents? Please select all that apply.
, A) Residents with difficulty containing secretions from sites of MDRO colonization and potential for
extensive environmental contamination
B) New residents on the unit are found to be colonized with the MDRO (evidenc e of ongoing
transmission) despite efforts to control spread
C)Residents with minimal medical or nursing care needs who are able to move independently
throug hout the facility
D)Residents receiving antibiotics
Ration ale: Nursing homes should implement Contact Precautions with consideration of single-p erson
rooms for MDRO colonized residents when there is difficulty containing secretions from sites of colonization
that could result in extensive environm ental contamination and when there is evidence of ongoing
transmission despite efforts to control spread of an MDRO. While Enhanced Barrier Precautions might be
considered during high contact care activities for certain residents with risk factors, regardless of MDRO
colonization status, highly independent residents or those receiving antibiotic s would not warrant Contact
Precautions even if MDRO colonized without those characteristics. (Module 6b)
5. At what stage of an investig ation would you notify local or state public health officials that you have
an outbreak? Please select the best answer
A) Once an outbreak case definition has been developed
B) Once an outbreak has not been controlled by infection prevention and control (IPC) measures
C)Once an outbreak has been determined to exist
D)Once an outbreak has been evaluated and summarized in a written report
Ration ale: A facility should notify local or state public health officials as soon as an outbreak has been
determined to exist. (Module 5)
6. Before performing wound care, if the hands are not visibly soiled, which method of hand hygiene by
staff members is preferred? Please select the best answer.
A) Using an alcohol-b ased hand rub
B) Washing hands with soap and water, followed immediately by use of an alcohol-based hand rub
C)None. Since gloves should be worn when performing wound care, hand hygiene is not necessary
D)Non e of the above
Ration ale: Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method of hand hygiene in most clinical situations,
including this scenario. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly soiled. If hand hygiene is
performed with soap and water, it is not necessary to then immediately use an alcohol -based hand rub.
Hand hygiene should be performed before touching a resident, even if gloves will be worn. (Module 7)
7. During January, there were five residents with central venous catheters (CVCs) for a total of 100
catheter-days. There were 4,000 resident-days for the month. There were two central line-
associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) identified. What is the CLABSI rate for the month?
Please select the best answer.
A)1.3 CLABSI per 1,000 resident-days
B)2 CLABSI per 1,000 catheter-days
C)5 CLABSI per 1,000 resident-days
D)20 CLABSI per 1,000 catheter-days
, Ration ale: When calculating an infection rate, the denominator represents the population at risk for the
event during the timefram e defined for surveillance. Because only residents with a CVC can experience a
CLABSI, the correct denominator only counts the days when residents had the device. In this example, the
denominator would be 100 catheter-days. The numerator is the total number of CLABSI s occurring during
the timeframe of interest. In this example, there are two CLABSIs. A constant, k, of 1,000 is used to
standardize the rate. Therefore, the CLABSI rate calculation is two events divided by 100 catheter -days
multiplied by 1,000, which equals 20 CLABSIs per 1,000 catheter -days. (Module 4)
8. During the previous influenza vaccine season, 120 residents receiv ed the influenza vaccine. 80
residents declined the vaccine. Which of the following is the correct resident influenza vaccination
acceptance rate? Please select the best answer.
A)40 perce nt
B)60 percen t
C)67 perce nt
D)80 perce nt
Ration ale: For process measure surveillanc e, the numerator represents the number of individuals
adherent to a practice, and the denominator represents the number of opportunities to perform the
practice. In this example, the numerator is 120, or the number of residents who received the influenza
vaccine. The denominator is the total number of residents eligible to receiv e the vaccine, which is 200 (120
residents who receiv ed the vaccine plus 80 residents who declined it). The vaccine acceptance rate
calculation is 120 divided by 200 multiplied by 100, which equals 60 percent. (Module 4)
9. During which of the following situations should a gown be considered in addition to gloves during
care of a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter? Please select the best answer.
A) As a strateg y to prevent spread of multidrug -resistant organisms (MDROs) when handling the
indwelling urinary catheter
B) If there is potential for splash or spills when emptying a collection bag
C)To prevent spread of pathog ens during care of residents placed in Contact Precautions
D)All of the above
Ration ale: Given the risk of MDRO colonization of medical devices, use of a gown should be consid ered in
addition to gloves as a strateg y for preventing spread of MDROs when handling indwelling urinary
catheters. Gowns should be worn if there is potential for splash or spills when emptying a urinary collection
bag as part of Standard Precautions and used to prevent spread of pathog ens during care of residents
placed in Contact Precautions. (Module 6b)
10. For residents admitted to a nursing home on a course of antibiotics started in a hospital, which
pieces of information would be important to know? Please select the best answer.
A) Indication for the antibiotic course
B) Dose of the antibiotic
C)Duration of the antibiotic course
D)All of the above
Ration ale: Important antibiotic use information for receiving provid ers includes the indication, dose and
schedule, and duration of the antibiotic course. (Module 14)
