CBIC CBIC Healthcare-Associated Infections 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NHSN criteria, what is the minimum timeframe after hospital admission before an infection is classified as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
- 24 hours
- 48 hours (Correct answer)
- 72 hours
- 96 hours
Correct answer: 48 hours
NHSN defines an HAI as an infection not present or incubating at admission, typically occurring more than 48 hours after hospital admission.
Question 2: Which HAI type is most commonly associated with the use of central venous catheters?
- CAUTI
- CLABSI (Correct answer)
- VAP
- SSI
Correct answer: CLABSI
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are directly linked to the presence of central venous catheters.
Question 3: Which pathogen is the most common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in US hospitals?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Escherichia coli (Correct answer)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Candida albicans
Correct answer: Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli is the most frequently identified pathogen in CAUTIs, reflecting its prevalence in the gastrointestinal and perineal flora.
Question 4: The bundle approach to preventing CLABSI includes which of the following elements?
- Routine catheter irrigation every 8 hours
- Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion (Correct answer)
- Changing central lines every 72 hours
- Applying topical antibiotics to the insertion site daily
Correct answer: Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion
Maximal sterile barrier precautions (cap, mask, sterile gown, gloves, and full-body drape) during insertion is a core CLABSI prevention bundle element.
Question 5: Which measure is most effective in reducing the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs)?
- Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics for 7 days
- Appropriate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (Correct answer)
- Routine use of wound irrigation with povidone-iodine
- Keeping wounds covered for at least 48 hours
Correct answer: Appropriate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis
Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before incision (within 120 minutes for vancomycin/fluoroquinolones) is the most evidence-based SSI prevention measure.
Question 6: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention bundles typically include which intervention?
- Routine ventilator circuit changes every 24 hours
- Maintaining head-of-bed elevation at 30–45 degrees (Correct answer)
- Prophylactic antifungal therapy for all ventilated patients
- Daily chest X-rays to assess pneumonia development
Correct answer: Maintaining head-of-bed elevation at 30–45 degrees
Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions, a key mechanism in VAP development.
CBIC CBIC Healthcare-Associated Infections 1
According to NHSN criteria, what is the minimum timeframe after hospital admission before an infection is classified as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?