CIC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CIC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An Infection Preventionist is educating staff on the chain of infection. Which of the following is considered a 'portal of entry'? → A break in the skin
2. Which of the following is the most important characteristic of a case definition during the initial phase of an outbreak investigation? → It should be broad and sensitive to capture all potential cases for further investigation.
3. Since the gloves protect your hands, there's no need to wash them after taking them off. → FALSE
4. The longest period of infusion that a parenteral lipid bag can run is as follows due to the higher risk of infection associated with parenteral nutrition: → Six hours.
5. Which component of the chain of infection is broken by ensuring patients with influenza wear a surgical mask when being transported outside of their room? → Portal of Exit
6. When donning an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, what is the final step before entering an Airborne Infection Isolation room? → Perform a user seal check
7. Which of the following scenarios describes vector-borne transmission of an infectious agent? → A person develops Lyme disease after being bitten by an infected tick.
8. What does the NHSN definition require for a deep incisional SSI? → Infection within 30 days involving fascia and muscle layers
9. Which organism's transmission is NOT interrupted by standard alcohol-based hand rub, necessitating soap and water? → Both B and C
10. A patient is placed on Contact Precautions. Which PPE must healthcare workers don before entering the room? → Gown and gloves
11. What is the recommended minimum air changes per hour (ACH) for an Airborne Infection Isolation room according to CDC/HICPAC guidelines? → 6 ACH for existing construction, 12 ACH for new construction
12. According to CDC guidelines, how long should prophylactic antibiotics be continued postoperatively for most surgical procedures? → Less than 24 hours
13. A nursing unit reports 5 cases of influenza-like illness within 48 hours. What is the FIRST step the Infection Preventionist (IP) should take? → Verify the diagnoses and establish a preliminary case definition.
14. An animal or insect that spreads disease is referred to as: → Vector
15. Which of the following pieces of non-critical patient care equipment requires, at a minimum, low-level disinfection between patient uses? → A blood pressure cuff used on a patient's intact skin
16. Which intraoperative surgical technique factor is a known modifiable SSI risk? → Dead space creation in wound closure
17. Which of the following scenarios requires implementation of work restrictions for an asymptomatic healthcare worker with no evidence of immunity? → An unprotected exposure to a patient with confirmed measles (rubeola).
18. Which antiseptic preparation is recommended for central venous catheter insertion site skin antisepsis? → Chlorhexidine gluconate greater than 0.5% with alcohol
19. Which is the primary central line insertion bundle element for CLABSI prevention? → Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion
20. Which kinds of goods aren't meant to be used with latex gloves because they can cause the latex to break down and make the product less effective? → petroleum-based products.
21. Which of the following terms describes the ability of a microorganism to cause disease? → Pathogenicity
22. When an organism is known to cause an illness, it's called a: → Pathogen and Pathogenic microorganism
23. What is the CDC-recommended frequency for changing IV administration sets for continuous non-lipid infusions? → No more frequently than every 96 hours unless clinically indicated
24. Which scoring system is used to stratify SSI risk for NHSN comparative reporting? → NNIS Risk Index
25. What is the recommended minimum duration for the surgical hand scrub using traditional antimicrobial soap? → 2 to 5 minutes
26. Which method is preferred for preoperative hair removal to reduce SSI risk? → Clipping with electric clippers
27. Which of the following components is required for the spread of an infection? → Everything mentioned
28. Which practice is currently recommended to reduce SSI risk in colorectal surgery? → Mechanical bowel preparation combined with oral antibiotics
29. What is the recommended approach for SSI surveillance according to NHSN methodology? → Post-discharge surveillance combined with inpatient monitoring
30. Which precaution bundle element is MOST critical for reducing transmission of Clostridioides difficile in an acute care hospital? → Contact Precautions with emphasis on soap-and-water hand hygiene and dedicated equipment