CBIC Antimicrobial Stewardship 2

Question 1

Which metric is most commonly used to measure antimicrobial consumption in a hospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1,000 patient-days

Answer

DDD per 1,000 patient-days is the standard WHO metric for comparing antimicrobial consumption across institutions and over time.

Question 2

A patient with a penicillin allergy history requires treatment for a serious infection. Which stewardship action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Perform penicillin allergy assessment/skin testing to clarify true allergy status

Answer

Penicillin allergy assessment reduces unnecessary avoidance of beta-lactams, as over 90% of patients labeled allergic can tolerate them.

Question 3

What is the primary goal of prospective audit and feedback in antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs)?

Accepted Answer

Review ongoing antibiotic orders and provide real-time recommendations to prescribers

Answer

Prospective audit and feedback involves reviewing active antibiotic orders and offering prescriber guidance to optimize therapy in real time.

Question 4

Which organism's emergence is most directly linked to prolonged or inappropriate fluoroquinolone use?

Accepted Answer

Clostridioides difficile

Answer

Fluoroquinolone use disrupts gut flora and is a major risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection.

Question 5

In the context of ASP, what does 'de-escalation' mean?

Accepted Answer

Narrowing antibiotic spectrum once culture and sensitivity results are available

Answer

De-escalation means switching from broad-spectrum empiric therapy to a narrower agent once the causative pathogen and its sensitivities are known.

CBIC - Certification Board of Infection Control Practice Test