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. When calculating a surgical site infection (SSI) rate, what is used as the denominator? → Total surgical procedures performed
2. 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
3. During outbreak investigation, which step should occur BEFORE implementing control measures? → Verifying the diagnosis through laboratory confirmation
4. 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.
5. A long-term care facility reports multiple residents with influenza within 48 hours. The MOST likely transmission pattern is: → Propagated epidemic spread via droplet and contact routes
6. A surgical instrument set is found to contain a used instrument that was mistakenly included in a sterile wrapped tray. What is the most appropriate action? → Consider the entire tray contaminated and return it for reprocessing
7. When constructing a case definition during an outbreak investigation, which element is NOT typically included? → Treatment protocol used
8. Since the gloves protect your hands, there's no need to wash them after taking them off. → FALSE
9. During a COVID-19 outbreak investigation in a hospital, what is the primary purpose of contact tracing? → To identify exposed individuals and implement quarantine or monitoring
10. During a Legionella outbreak investigation in a hospital, which environmental source should be prioritized for sampling? → Potable water system and cooling towers
11. 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.
12. 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
13. Which sharps disposal practice is considered a major risk factor for needlestick injuries among healthcare workers? → Recapping needles using a two-handed technique
14. Which action by a healthcare worker constitutes a violation of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard? → Storing food in a refrigerator that also contains blood specimens
15. 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.
16. What does the term 'antibiotic timeout' refer to in stewardship practice? → A scheduled reassessment of antibiotic therapy at 48-72 hours to determine continued need
17. Which Spaulding classification applies to endoscopes that contact only intact mucous membranes? → Semi-critical
18. What does the NHSN definition require for a deep incisional SSI? → Infection within 30 days involving fascia and muscle layers
19. Which concept describes the ability of a surveillance system to detect outbreaks or increases in infection rates in a timely manner? → Sensitivity
20. A hospital implements universal gloving for all patient contact. Which unintended consequence is MOST concerning for infection prevention? → Decreased hand hygiene compliance due to false sense of security
21. When conducting IPC staff education for non-clinical employees such as housekeeping staff, the most effective instructional approach is: → Using plain language, role-specific demonstrations, and return demonstrations
22. Which practice is recommended to prevent healthcare-associated Legionella in facility water systems? → Implementing a water management program per CDC and ASHRAE 188 guidelines
23. During an outbreak of gram-negative BSIs in an ICU, molecular typing reveals two distinct strain clusters. This finding is BEST described as: → Two concurrent but separate outbreaks
24. A healthcare facility is reviewing its TB infection control plan. Which administrative control is MOST important for reducing TB transmission? → Early identification and isolation of suspected TB cases
25. Which type of precautions should be implemented for a patient with confirmed influenza? → Droplet precautions
26. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) optimization in stewardship refers to: → Tailoring dosing regimens to maximize pathogen killing while minimizing toxicity
27. The MOST effective administrative control for reducing sharps injuries in a healthcare setting is: → Implementing a sharps safety device selection and evaluation program
28. Which of the following is a core element of hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs according to CDC? → Leadership commitment with dedicated human, financial, and IT resources
29. The primary goal of an exposure incident reporting system in a healthcare facility is to: → Enable timely post-exposure management and identify prevention opportunities
30. Which environmental reservoir is most commonly associated with Legionella pneumophila transmission? → Aerosolized water from cooling towers and potable water systems