CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Environment of Care Questions and Answers

Question 1

A hospital is beginning a major renovation project directly adjacent to its oncology unit, which houses many immunocompromised patients.
According to Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) principles, which of the following is the MOST critical environmental control measure?

Accepted Answer

Establishing rigid, sealed barriers and maintaining negative air pressure within the construction zone.

Answer

Scheduling work to occur only during evening and night hours.

Answer

Requiring all construction workers to be up-to-date on their immunizations.

Answer

Placing alcohol-based hand rub dispensers at the entrance to the construction zone.

Question 2

An Infection Preventionist is verifying the proper functioning of an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR). Which of the following air handling specifications is a fundamental requirement for these rooms?

Accepted Answer

Air that is exhausted directly to the outside or recirculated through a HEPA filter.

Answer

Positive air pressure of at least +2.5 Pa relative to the corridor.

Answer

A minimum of 6 air changes per hour (ACH) for a newly constructed facility.

Answer

An air exchange system that mixes room air with corridor air to ensure dilution.

Question 3

A hospital's multi-disciplinary team is developing a water management program to prevent healthcare-associated Legionellosis, in alignment with CMS requirements. What is the primary goal of this program?

Accepted Answer

To identify and mitigate hazardous conditions in the building's water systems that could promote the growth and spread of Legionella.

Answer

To ensure the aesthetic quality and taste of the facility's drinking water.

Answer

To reduce the overall cost of water consumption and heating.

Answer

To document weekly water temperatures and disinfectant levels at all distal sites.

Question 4

An environmental services (EVS) staff member is performing terminal cleaning on a room that housed a patient with a confirmed *Clostridioides difficile* infection (CDI). Which of the following represents the correct cleaning and disinfection practice?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning surfaces to remove organic matter, followed by application of an EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectant.

Answer

Using a quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant on all high-touch surfaces.

Answer

Wiping surfaces with 70% isopropyl alcohol and allowing it to air dry.

Answer

Applying a standard hydrogen peroxide disinfectant and ensuring a 1-minute contact time.

Question 5

A Sterile Processing Department (SPD) technician runs a steam sterilization load and discovers the biological indicator (BI) test is positive, indicating a potential sterilization failure. However, the chemical indicators on the packages passed. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately quarantine the entire load, retrieve any items that may have been prematurely released, and notify the IP and relevant departments.

Answer

Release the load for use, as the chemical indicators showed the sterilizer reached the correct temperature.

Answer

Document the positive BI and take the sterilizer out of service for its next scheduled preventative maintenance.

Answer

Rerun the same load through a new cycle and release the items if the second BI is negative.

Question 6

While observing practices in the hospital laundry, which of the following actions by a staff member requires immediate intervention by the Infection Preventionist due to the high risk of pathogen transmission?

Accepted Answer

Vigorously shaking and sorting soiled linen in the processing area before loading it into the washers.

Answer

Placing soiled linen from an isolation room into a labeled, leak-proof bag at the point of care.

Answer

Wearing gloves and a protective gown while handling soiled linen bags.

Answer

Transporting clean linen in covered carts that are stored separately from soiled linen carts.