CBIC Outbreak Investigation 5

Question 1

Which scenario BEST represents a propagated outbreak pattern?

Accepted Answer

New norovirus cases continue to appear on a hospital ward over several weeks through person-to-person spread

Answer

A propagated outbreak is sustained by person-to-person transmission, producing a gradually rising epidemic curve that extends beyond one incubation period.

Question 2

Environmental sampling during an outbreak investigation is MOST appropriate when:

Accepted Answer

An environmental reservoir is suspected based on epidemiological evidence

Answer

Environmental cultures should be targeted and hypothesis-driven, collected only when epidemiological evidence points to a specific environmental source.

Question 3

A hospital investigates a cluster of Legionella pneumophila infections. Which environmental source requires PRIORITY sampling?

Accepted Answer

Potable water system and cooling towers

Answer

Legionella thrives in potable water systems and cooling towers, which are the primary reservoirs linked to healthcare-associated Legionnaires' disease.

Question 4

When an infection preventionist applies the 'Bradford Hill criteria' during outbreak analysis, they are assessing:

Accepted Answer

Strength of evidence for a causal relationship between exposure and disease

Answer

The Bradford Hill criteria provide a framework (strength, consistency, specificity, temporality, etc.) for judging whether an observed association is likely causal.

Question 5

During an outbreak, an IP identifies that cases are clustered among patients of one specific nurse. This finding MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Possible healthcare worker colonization or breach in technique

Answer

Clustering of infections around a single HCW raises concern for colonization of that worker or consistent lapses in infection prevention technique.

CBIC - Certification Board of Infection Control Practice Test

CBIC - Certification Board of Infection Control Practice Test

CBIC Outbreak Investigation 5