ACCS ACCS Infection Control and Sepsis Management

Question 1

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, what is the recommended time window to initiate broad-spectrum antibiotics after sepsis recognition?

Accepted Answer

Within 1 hour

Answer

Within 30 minutes

Answer

Within 3 hours

Answer

Within 6 hours

Question 2

Which of the following is the most reliable early biomarker for sepsis and systemic infection in the ICU?

Accepted Answer

Procalcitonin (PCT)

Answer

White blood cell count

Answer

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Answer

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Question 3

A patient meets Sepsis-3 criteria. Which intervention is the first priority after obtaining blood cultures?

Accepted Answer

Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics

Answer

Order a CT scan of the chest and abdomen

Answer

Place a central venous catheter

Answer

Start vasopressin infusion

Question 4

Which organism is the most common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in US ICUs?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Candida albicans

Question 5

Which bundle element has the strongest evidence for preventing catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)?

Accepted Answer

Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis during insertion

Answer

Daily chest X-ray to confirm line position

Answer

Weekly line rotation to new sites

Answer

Routine antibiotic flush of lines

Question 6

What is the initial fluid resuscitation recommendation for adults with septic shock in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign?

Accepted Answer

At least 30 mL/kg IV crystalloid within the first 3 hours

Answer

250 mL crystalloid bolus and reassess

Answer

20 mL/kg colloid within the first hour

Answer

Fluid restricted to 1 L in the first 6 hours