Free CIC practice test

15 questions · 6 domains · about 15 minutes. Pick an answer to see whether you’re right and why.

1. Question 1 of 15 · Infectious disease processesA laboratory reports gram-positive cocci in chains from a blood culture. Which organism is MOST consistent with this morphology?

   A.Pseudomonas aeruginosaB.Staphylococcus aureusC.Streptococcus speciesD.Escherichia coli
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   Answer: C. Streptococcus species

   Gram-positive cocci arranged in chains are characteristic of streptococci (and enterococci). Staphylococci appear in clusters, while E. coli and Pseudomonas are gram-negative rods.

2. Question 2 of 15 · Surveillance & epidemiologyWhich study design is typically used to investigate an acute outbreak when the population at risk is well-defined (e.g., attendees of an event)?

   A.Retrospective cohort studyB.Randomized controlled trialC.Cross-sectional ecological studyD.Case-control study
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   Answer: A. Retrospective cohort study

   When the at-risk population is defined and enumerable (e.g., a banquet or a hospital unit), a retrospective cohort study comparing attack rates by exposure is efficient. Case-control designs are favored when the population is not easily defined or disease is rare.

3. Question 3 of 15 · Prevention & controlWhat is the purpose of an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?

   A.To provide positive pressure rooms for immunocompromised patientsB.To reduce environmental contamination from bloodborne pathogensC.To prevent healthcare workers from being exposed to droplet-transmitted pathogensD.To maintain negative air pressure relative to the corridor, preventing airborne particles from escaping the room
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   Answer: D. To maintain negative air pressure relative to the corridor, preventing airborne particles from escaping the room

   An AIIR maintains negative pressure (minimum -2.5 Pa relative to adjacent areas), provides ≥12 air changes per hour (or ≥6 for existing facilities), and exhausts air to the outside or through HEPA filtration. This prevents contaminated air from flowing out when the door is opened.

4. Question 4 of 15 · Occupational healthWhat does a user seal check (fit check) accomplish each time an N95 respirator is donned?

   A.It replaces annual fit testingB.It verifies the respirator is properly seated and forms an adequate seal at that momentC.It tests filter efficiencyD.It documents medical clearance
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   Answer: B. It verifies the respirator is properly seated and forms an adequate seal at that moment

   A user seal check is performed by the wearer each time the respirator is put on to confirm a proper seal (positive and negative pressure checks). It does not replace the required periodic fit testing or medical evaluation.

5. Question 5 of 15 · Management & communicationWhich quality improvement model is most commonly used in infection prevention programs to test and implement changes?

   A.Six Sigma DMAICB.Lean waste eliminationC.Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycleD.Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
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   Answer: C. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle

   The PDSA cycle (also called the Deming cycle) is the most widely used QI method in infection prevention. It allows teams to plan an intervention, implement it on a small scale, study the results, and act (adopt, adapt, or abandon). IHI's Model for Improvement builds on the PDSA cycle.

6. Question 6 of 15 · Education & researchWhich sits at the TOP of the evidence-based practice hierarchy of evidence?

   A.Expert opinionB.Systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsC.A single case reportD.A cross-sectional survey
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   Answer: B. Systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

   Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs occupy the top of the evidence hierarchy because they synthesize the highest-quality primary studies, reducing bias and increasing precision. Expert opinion and case reports are the lowest levels.

7. Question 7 of 15 · Infectious disease processesWhich organism is the most common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

   A.Streptococcus pyogenesB.Clostridioides difficileC.Staphylococcus aureusD.Escherichia coli
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   Answer: D. Escherichia coli

   Escherichia coli, a gram-negative enteric rod, is the most common uropathogen, including in CAUTI. Prompt catheter removal and aseptic insertion/maintenance reduce risk.

8. Question 8 of 15 · Surveillance & epidemiologyWhich is an example of a process measure rather than an outcome measure?

   A.Compliance with the central line insertion bundleB.Mortality from sepsisC.SSI rateD.CLABSI rate
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   Answer: A. Compliance with the central line insertion bundle

   Process measures assess whether recommended practices are performed (e.g., bundle compliance, hand hygiene rates), whereas outcome measures capture results (e.g., CLABSI, SSI rates). Both are needed to link practice to results.

9. Question 9 of 15 · Prevention & controlA nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the following actions requires the nurse to wear a gown?

   A.Administering oral medications.B.Changing the patient's wound dressing.C.Speaking with the patient from the doorway.D.Taking the patient's vital signs.
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   Answer: B. Changing the patient's wound dressing.

   A gown should be worn when anticipating contact with the patient's skin, clothing, or environment, or when there is a risk of contact with blood or body fluids. Changing a wound dressing presents a high risk of contamination and requires the use of a gown.

10. Question 10 of 15 · Occupational healthWhich of the following best reduces sharps injuries among healthcare personnel?

    A.Storing used sharps for end-of-shift disposalB.Passing sharps hand-to-hand during proceduresC.Recapping needles with two handsD.Use of engineered sharps injury protection (safety-engineered devices) and proper sharps containers
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    Answer: D. Use of engineered sharps injury protection (safety-engineered devices) and proper sharps containers

    The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and OSHA require use of safer engineered devices (e.g., retractable or shielded needles), proper point-of-use sharps containers, and work practice controls. Recapping and hand-to-hand passing increase injury risk.

11. Question 11 of 15 · Management & communicationWhat is the ICP's role during construction and renovation projects to prevent Aspergillus infections in immunocompromised patients?

    A.Conduct an ICRA before work begins, ensure physical barriers and negative pressure are in place, and monitor for dust containment and HEPA vacuum useB.Provide antifungal prophylaxis to all patients during the construction periodC.Relocate all immunocompromised patients off-site during constructionD.Approve or deny construction projects based on infection risk
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    Answer: A. Conduct an ICRA before work begins, ensure physical barriers and negative pressure are in place, and monitor for dust containment and HEPA vacuum use

    Aspergillus spores from disturbed soil, building materials, and dust can cause fatal infections in immunocompromised patients. ICRAs identify risks and specify controls: construction barriers, negative pressure in work zones, HEPA vacuums, covered transport routes, and potential patient relocation for highest-risk work.

12. Question 12 of 15 · Infectious disease processesWhy do standard sterilization and high-level disinfection processes used in healthcare provide an INCOMPLETE margin of safety against the agent causing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)?

    A.Prions are large bacteria with thick capsulesB.Prions are destroyed by standard steam cyclesC.Prions are highly resistant to routine sterilization and disinfection methodsD.Prions are killed instantly by alcohol
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    Answer: C. Prions are highly resistant to routine sterilization and disinfection methods

    CJD is caused by prions, misfolded proteins that are extraordinarily resistant to conventional sterilization and disinfection. Special enhanced protocols (e.g., extended steam autoclaving with sodium hydroxide, or single-use instruments for high-risk tissues) are required to mitigate the residual risk.

13. Question 13 of 15 · Surveillance & epidemiologyWhich data source is typically the MOST useful for initiating healthcare-associated infection surveillance?

    A.Hospital cafeteria recordsB.The microbiology laboratory information systemC.Marketing reportsD.Visitor logs
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    Answer: B. The microbiology laboratory information system

    The microbiology laboratory information system is a primary, efficient source for case finding, providing positive cultures and resistance data that drive surveillance for HAIs and MDROs.

14. Question 14 of 15 · Prevention & controlWhat is the purpose of a CAUTI prevention bundle?

    A.To implement a set of evidence-based practices that collectively reduce CAUTI incidence, primarily by avoiding unnecessary catheter use and ensuring timely removalB.To standardize urine culture collection technique across unitsC.To prescribe empiric antibiotics to all catheterized patientsD.To ensure urinary catheters are changed every 48 hours
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    Answer: A. To implement a set of evidence-based practices that collectively reduce CAUTI incidence, primarily by avoiding unnecessary catheter use and ensuring timely removal

    The CAUTI prevention bundle includes: inserting catheters only when indicated, using sterile technique for insertion, maintaining a closed drainage system, performing daily review of catheter necessity, and promptly removing unnecessary catheters. The most impactful single intervention is avoiding catheterization in the first place.

15. Question 15 of 15 · Education & researchWhat is the significance of the 'Hawthorne effect' in infection control compliance studies?

    A.Patients become more satisfied with care when infection rates are publicizedB.Surveillance under-counts HAIs because staff avoid reporting infectionsC.New hires perform better than experienced staff due to recent trainingD.Healthcare workers perform better when they know they are being observed, which may inflate true compliance rates
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    Answer: D. Healthcare workers perform better when they know they are being observed, which may inflate true compliance rates

    The Hawthorne effect is the phenomenon where subjects modify their behavior because they are aware of being observed. In hand hygiene compliance audits, direct observation consistently yields higher reported compliance than what occurs in normal practice, because staff perform better when they know they are being watched.