CIC Environment of Care 2

Question 1

Which ventilation parameter is most critical for maintaining negative pressure in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?

Accepted Answer

Exhaust air volume exceeding supply air volume

Answer

Negative pressure rooms require exhaust airflow to exceed supply airflow so contaminated air flows inward rather than escaping to hallways.

Question 2

What is the recommended minimum number of air changes per hour (ACH) for a standard patient care room according to ASHRAE 170?

Accepted Answer

6 ACH

Answer

ASHRAE 170 recommends a minimum of 6 total air changes per hour for standard patient care rooms, with at least 2 being outdoor air.

Question 3

During construction in a healthcare facility, which method best controls fungal spore dispersal to protect immunocompromised patients?

Accepted Answer

Installing negative pressure anteroom barriers with HEPA filtration at the construction zone

Answer

Negative pressure barriers with HEPA filtration at the construction zone prevent Aspergillus and other fungal spores from migrating to patient care areas.

Question 4

Which surface in a patient room has consistently been identified as a high-touch surface with the greatest pathogen contamination burden?

Accepted Answer

Patient bed rail

Answer

Bed rails are among the highest-touch surfaces in patient rooms and consistently harbor pathogens including MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile.

Question 5

A facility is upgrading its HVAC system. Which filter efficiency rating is required for areas housing severely immunocompromised patients such as bone marrow transplant recipients?

Accepted Answer

MERV 17 (HEPA)

Answer

HEPA filters (MERV 17 or higher, 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 microns) are required for protective environment rooms serving severely immunocompromised patients.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC Environment of Care 2