Pass the CBIC Infection Control CIC Questions and answers with Dumpstech

A process measure assesses how well healthcare personnel follow specific procedures known to prevent infection. In the case of CAUTI (Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection), monitoring staff compliance with proper insertion technique is a direct process measure.

According to the APIC/JCR Workbook, effective CAUTI prevention involves evaluating compliance with proper catheter insertion and maintenance practices. Monitoring this behavior is a process measure that directly affects outcomes like infection rate reduction.

The CBIC Study Guide also emphasizes using compliance with evidence-based insertion techniques as a strategy to measure and improve CAUTI prevention efforts.

APIC Text notes that “a process measure focuses on a process or the steps in a process that leads to a specific outcome.” This includes monitoring healthcare staff performance related to proper catheter insertion and care.

Incorrect answer rationale:

A. CAUTI rate per 1000 catheter days – This is an outcome measure, not a process measure.

B. Standardized Infection Ratio per unit – Also an outcome/benchmarking metric.

C. Rate of bloodstream infections secondary to CAUTI – This is an outcome, not a process.

Standard Precautions are sufficient for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), which means that gloves should be used when handling body fluids. CMV is primarily transmitted via direct contact with saliva, urine, or blood.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. Wear masks and gloves – Masks are not necessary unless performing high-risk aerosol-generating procedures.

C. No barrier precautions are needed – Gloves are required when handling bodily fluids to prevent transmission.

D. Use gowns, masks, gloves, and a private room – CMV does not require Contact or Airborne Precautions.

CBIC Infection Control Reference

APIC guidelines state that CMV transmission is prevented using Standard Precautions, primarily with glove use for body fluid contact​.

The correct answer is D, "staff education related to loaner instrument reprocessing has occurred," as this is the infection prevention process that should be ensured when a surgeon is beginning a new procedure requiring loaner instruments within the next two weeks. According to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) guidelines, loaner instruments—those borrowed from external sources for temporary use—pose unique infection prevention challenges due to potential variability in reprocessing standards and unfamiliarity among staff. Ensuring that staff are educated on proper reprocessing protocols (e.g., cleaning, sterilization, and handling per manufacturer instructions and AAMI ST79) is critical to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.3 - Ensure safe reprocessing of medical equipment). This education should cover the specific requirements for loaner instruments, including documentation and verification of sterilization, and should occur proactively before the instruments are used to ensure competency and compliance.

Option A (items arrive in time for immediate use steam sterilization) is a logistical consideration, but it does not address the infection prevention process itself; timely arrival is necessary but insufficient without proper reprocessing validation. Option B (instruments are able to be used prior to the biological indicator results) is unsafe, as biological indicators are essential to confirm sterilization efficacy, and using instruments before results are available violates infection control standards. Option C (the planning process takes place after the instruments have arrived) is impractical, as planning (e.g., coordinating with vendors, assessing reprocessing needs) must occur in advance to ensure readiness and safety, not as a reactive step.

The focus on staff education aligns with CBIC’s emphasis on preparing healthcare personnel to handle loaner instruments safely, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring patient safety (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain IV: Education and Research, Competency 4.1 - Develop and implement educational programs). This proactive measure is supported by AAMI and CDC guidelines, which stress the importance of training for reprocessing complex or unfamiliar devices.

The CBIC Certified Infection Control Exam Study Guide (6th edition) identifies nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including Mycobacterium fortuitum, as organisms commonly associated with water sources, particularly potable water systems. An unusual increase in M. fortuitum–positive bronchoscopy cultures is most often linked to waterborne contamination during endoscope reprocessing, making rinsing with tap water the most likely cause.

Tap water is not sterile and may harbor NTM, which are resistant to standard municipal water treatment and capable of forming biofilms within plumbing systems. If bronchoscopes are rinsed with tap water after high-level disinfection and not followed by appropriate sterile or filtered water rinses and thorough drying, organisms such as M. fortuitum may contaminate internal channels. This can lead to pseudo-outbreaks, where cultures are positive due to contamination rather than true patient infection.

Option B, inadequate cleaning prior to disinfection, can contribute to overall reprocessing failure but is less specifically associated with NTM contamination patterns. Option A is unlikely, as sporicidal solutions are effective disinfectants. Option D, drying with air or alcohol, is a recommended step to reduce microbial growth and would not cause contamination.

For CIC® exam preparation, recognizing that tap water exposure during endoscope reprocessing is a classic source of nontuberculous mycobacteria contamination is a key concept in outbreak investigation and device reprocessing surveillance.

The CBIC Certified Infection Control Exam Study Guide (6th edition) emphasizes that multidisciplinary collaboration is essential when planning construction or renovation projects in patient care areas, especially high-risk locations such as operating suites. In addition to infection prevention, environmental services, and engineering, the operating room nurse manager must be actively involved in construction planning discussions.

The operating room nurse manager represents frontline clinical operations and has direct knowledge of surgical workflows, patient movement, sterile processing needs, case scheduling, and staff practices. Their involvement ensures that construction activities are coordinated to minimize disruption to patient care, maintain sterile environments, and reduce infection risks associated with dust, airflow changes, and traffic patterns. The nurse manager also plays a key role in communicating construction-related precautions and practice changes to surgical staff.

While senior leadership (Option B) may provide oversight, they are not typically involved in detailed infection control planning. The plumbing supervisor (Option C) may be consulted for specific infrastructure issues but does not represent clinical operations. The director of public relations (Option D) is not relevant to construction-related infection risk planning.

The Study Guide highlights that ICRA planning must include clinical leadership from affected areas to ensure that infection prevention measures are practical, effective, and consistently implemented. Including the operating room nurse manager is therefore essential for safe construction planning and is a frequently tested CIC® exam concept.

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Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (standard deviation) are statistical tools used to summarize data, such as the duration of surgical procedures, which can help infection preventionists identify trends or risks for surgical site infections. The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) supports the use of data analysis in the "Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation" domain, aligning with epidemiological principles outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The question provides a data set of 2, 2, 3, 4, and 9, and requires determining the correct statement by calculating these measures.

Mean: The mean is the average of the data set, calculated by summing all values and dividing by the number of observations. For the data set 2, 2, 3, 4, and 9:(2 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 9) ÷ 5 = 20 ÷ 5 = 4. Thus, the mean is 4, making Option C correct.

Median: The median is the middle value when the data set is ordered. With five values (2, 2, 3, 4, 9), the middle value is the third number, which is 3. Option A states the median is 2, which is incorrect.

Mode: The mode is the most frequently occurring value. In this data set, 2 appears twice, while 3, 4, and 9 appear once each, making 2 the mode. Option B states the mode is 3, which is incorrect.

Standard Deviation: The standard deviation measures the spread of data around the mean. For a small data set like this, the calculation involves finding the variance (average of squared differences from the mean) and taking the square root. The mean is 4, so the deviations are: (2-4)² = 4, (2-4)² = 4, (3-4)² = 1, (4-4)² = 0, (9-4)² = 25. The sum of squared deviations is 4 + 4 + 1 + 0 + 25 = 34. The variance is 34 ÷ 5 = 6.8, and the standard deviation is √6.8 ≈ 2.61 (not 7). Option D states the standard deviation is 7, which is incorrect without further context (e.g., a population standard deviation with n-1 denominator would be √34 ≈ 5.83, still not 7).

The CBIC Practice Analysis (2022) and CDC guidelines encourage accurate statistical analysis to inform infection control decisions, such as assessing surgical duration as a risk factor for infections. Based on the calculations, the mean of 4 is the only correct statement among the options, confirming Option C as the answer. Note that the standard deviation of 7 might reflect a miscalculation or misinterpretation (e.g., using a different formula or data set), but with the given data, it does not hold.

The correct answer is B, "24 hours," as this is the earliest recommended time that a healthcare personnel with an acute group A streptococcal throat infection may return to work after receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy. According to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) guidelines, which align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare workers with group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, such as streptococcal pharyngitis, should be treated with antibiotics (e.g., penicillin or a suitable alternative) to eradicate the infection and reduce transmission risk. The CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines specify that healthcare personnel can return to work after at least 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy, provided they are afebrile and symptoms are improving, as this period is sufficient to significantly reduce the bacterial load and contagiousness (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.2 - Implement measures to prevent transmission of infectious agents).

Option A (8 hours) is too short a duration to ensure the infection is adequately controlled and the individual is no longer contagious. Option C (48 hours) and Option D (72 hours) are longer periods that may apply in some cases (e.g., if symptoms persist or in outbreak settings), but they exceed the minimum recommended time based on current evidence. The 24-hour threshold is supported by studies showing that GAS shedding decreases substantially within this timeframe with appropriate antibiotic treatment, minimizing the risk to patients and colleagues (CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel, 2019).

The infection preventionist’s role includes enforcing return-to-work policies to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), aligning with CBIC’s emphasis on timely and evidence-based interventions to control infectious disease transmission in healthcare settings (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.1 - Collaborate with organizational leaders). Compliance with this recommendation also supports occupational health protocols to balance staff safety and patient care.

The correct answer is C, "Reviewing principles of adult learning," as this activity will best prepare a newly hired infection preventionist to present information at the facility’s orientation program. According to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) guidelines, effective education delivery, especially for healthcare professionals during orientation, relies on understanding adult learning principles (e.g., andragogy), which emphasize learner-centered approaches, relevance to practice, and active participation. Reviewing these principles equips the infection preventionist (IP) to design and deliver content that addresses the specific needs, experiences, and motivations of the audience—such as new staff learning infection control protocols—enhancing engagement and retention (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain IV: Education and Research, Competency 4.1 - Develop and implement educational programs). This preparation ensures the presentation is tailored, impactful, and aligned with the goal of promoting infection prevention behaviors.

Option A (observing other departments’ orientation presentations) can provide insights into presentation styles or facility norms, but it is less focused on the IP’s specific educational role and may not address the unique content of infection prevention. Option B (meeting with the facility’s leadership) is valuable for understanding organizational priorities and gaining support, but it is more about collaboration and context-setting rather than direct preparation for presenting educational material. Option D (administering tuberculin skin tests to orientees) is a clinical task related to TB screening, not a preparatory activity for designing or delivering an educational presentation.

The focus on reviewing adult learning principles aligns with CBIC’s emphasis on evidence-based education strategies to improve infection control practices among healthcare personnel (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain IV: Education and Research, Competency 4.2 - Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs). This approach enables the IP to effectively communicate critical information, such as hand hygiene or isolation protocols, during the orientation program.

The Chi-square test is the most appropriate test for comparing infection rates (categorical data) before and after an intervention​.

CBIC Infection Control References:

CIC Study Guide, "Statistical Analysis in Infection Control," Chapter 5​.

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a significant concern in healthcare settings, and identifying factors contributing to their increase is critical for infection prevention. The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) emphasizes the "Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation" and "Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases" domains, which align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for preventing intravascular catheter-related infections. The question asks for the intervention most likely to have contributed to the rise in PICC-associated BSIs over four months, requiring an evaluation of each option based on evidence-based practices.

Option C, "Replacement of the intravenous administration sets every 72 hours," is the most likely contributor to the increase. The CDC’s "Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections" (2017) recommend that intravenous administration sets (e.g., tubing for fluids or medications) be replaced no more frequently than every 72-96 hours unless clinically indicated (e.g., contamination or specific therapy requirements). Frequent replacement, such as every 72 hours as a routine practice, can introduce opportunities for contamination during the change process, especially if aseptic technique is not strictly followed. Studies cited in the CDC guidelines, including those by O’Grady et al. (2011), indicate that unnecessary manipulation of catheter systems increases the risk of introducing pathogens, potentially leading to BSIs. A change to a 72-hour replacement schedule, if not previously standard, could explain the observed increase over the past four months.

Option A, "Use of chlorhexidine skin antisepsis during insertion of the PICC," is a recommended practice to reduce BSIs. Chlorhexidine, particularly in a 2% chlorhexidine gluconate with 70% alcohol solution, is the preferred skin antiseptic for catheter insertion due to its broad-spectrum activity and residual effect, as supported by the CDC (2017). This intervention should decrease, not increase, infection rates, making it an unlikely contributor. Option B, "Daily bathing adult intensive care unit patients with chlorhexidine," is another evidence-based strategy to reduce healthcare-associated infections, including BSIs, by decolonizing the skin of pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. The CDC and SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) guidelines (2014) endorse chlorhexidine bathing in intensive care units, suggesting it should lower, not raise, BSI rates. Option D, "Use of a positive pressure device on the PICC," aims to prevent catheter occlusion and reduce the need for frequent flushing, which could theoretically decrease infection risk by minimizing manipulation. However, there is no strong evidence linking positive pressure devices to increased BSIs; if improperly used or maintained, they might contribute marginally, but this is less likely than the impact of frequent tubing changes.

The CBIC Practice Analysis (2022) and CDC guidelines highlight that deviations from optimal catheter maintenance practices, such as overly frequent administration set replacements, can increase infection risk. Given the four-month timeframe and the focus on an intervention’s potential negative impact, Option C stands out as the most plausible contributor due to the increased manipulation and contamination risk associated with routine 72-hour replacements.