CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Employee & Occupational Health Questions and Answers

Question 1

A newly hired healthcare worker with a history of a previously positive Tuberculosis (TB) skin test provides a documented normal chest x-ray from one year ago. According to current CDC guidelines, what is the MOST appropriate next step for the pre-placement TB screening process?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a TB symptom screen and an individual risk assessment.

Answer

For healthcare personnel with a documented history of a positive TB test and a normal chest x-ray, repeat testing is not recommended. The focus shifts to screening for active disease. Current CDC guidelines state that these individuals should receive a baseline individual TB risk assessment and a TB symptom screen upon hire.

Question 2

An unvaccinated nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a hollow-bore needle used on a source patient who is known to be HBsAg-positive (chronic Hepatitis B infection). The nurse has not previously received the Hepatitis B vaccine. What is the most critical immediate post-exposure management step?

Accepted Answer

Administer both HBIG and the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Answer

For an unvaccinated person exposed to a known HBsAg-positive source, post-exposure prophylaxis should include both Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) for immediate passive immunity and the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine series for long-term active immunity. These should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios requires implementation of work restrictions for an asymptomatic healthcare worker with no evidence of immunity?

Accepted Answer

An unprotected exposure to a patient with confirmed measles (rubeola).

Answer

Measles is highly contagious. Asymptomatic, non-immune healthcare workers exposed to measles must be excluded from work, typically from day 5 after the first exposure through day 21 after the last exposure, to prevent potential transmission during the incubation period. For many other diseases like pertussis or tuberculosis, work restrictions for asymptomatic staff are not typically required if post-exposure prophylaxis is administered or they are monitored for symptoms.

Question 4

A hospital's Occupational Health department is updating its employee immunization policy to align with CDC recommendations for healthcare personnel. Which vaccine is considered essential and should be offered to all employees with potential exposure to blood or body fluids?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B

Answer

The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard mandates that employers make the Hepatitis B vaccination series available at no cost to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. While other vaccines like MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and Influenza are also recommended for healthcare workers, the Hepatitis B vaccine is specifically required by OSHA for those with bloodborne pathogen exposure risk.

Question 5

A healthcare worker reports to occupational health with a fever and cough. The facility is experiencing a community-wide influenza outbreak. According to CDC guidelines for healthcare settings, what is the minimum recommended duration for work exclusion?

Accepted Answer

For at least 24 hours after their fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Answer

CDC guidelines recommend that healthcare personnel with influenza-like illness should be excluded from work for at least 24 hours after they are no longer febrile, without the aid of fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Employee & Occupational Health Questions and Answers