CIC Employee & Occupational Health 5

Question 1

A healthcare worker receives a fingerstick from a patient's lancet. The source patient is unknown. What is the MOST appropriate initial action regarding HIV PEP?

Accepted Answer

Assess the exposure risk and consider PEP based on facility protocol and clinical judgment

Answer

PEP decisions for unknown sources should be individualized using risk assessment, the nature of the exposure, and local HIV prevalence rather than automatic initiation or refusal.

Question 2

Which of the following is the BEST example of a work practice control to reduce bloodborne pathogen exposure?

Accepted Answer

Prohibiting recapping needles by a two-handed technique

Answer

Prohibiting two-handed recapping is a work practice control — it changes the behavior itself — whereas safety devices are engineering controls.

Question 3

A healthcare worker is diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough). The recommended work exclusion period after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment is:

Accepted Answer

5 days after starting effective antibiotic therapy

Answer

Healthcare workers with pertussis may return to work 5 days after initiating effective antimicrobial therapy, as they are considered non-infectious by that point.

Question 4

An infection preventionist is evaluating sharps injury data. The highest rate of injuries is occurring during which phase of device use?

Accepted Answer

After use but before disposal — during recapping, passing, or cleanup

Answer

Studies consistently show most sharps injuries occur after use and before or during disposal, particularly during recapping and transfer activities.

Question 5

A healthcare worker with a documented anti-HBs titer of 5 mIU/mL after completing the initial hepatitis B vaccine series should:

Accepted Answer

Receive a second complete 3-dose vaccine series and retest

Answer

Workers who do not respond adequately to the first series should receive a second 3-dose series followed by post-vaccination serologic testing.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC Employee & Occupational Health 5