CIC Hand Hygiene & Isolation Precautions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to CDC/WHO guidelines, what is the minimum recommended duration for alcohol-based hand rub application?
- 5 seconds
- 10–15 seconds
- 20–30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 20–30 seconds
Hand rub must be applied for 20–30 seconds until hands are dry to achieve adequate antimicrobial efficacy.
Question 2: Which WHO 'moment' for hand hygiene occurs BEFORE an aseptic task?
- Moment 1
- Moment 2 (Correct answer)
- Moment 3
- Moment 4
Correct answer: Moment 2
Moment 2 (Before aseptic task) protects the patient from their own flora and from healthcare worker hands during procedures.
Question 3: A patient is placed on Contact Precautions. Which PPE must healthcare workers don before entering the room?
- Gloves only
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Gown, gloves, and N95 respirator
- Mask and gloves
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Contact Precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission of organisms via direct or indirect contact.
Question 4: Which pathogen most commonly requires Droplet Precautions in addition to Standard Precautions?
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Influenza virus (Correct answer)
- Clostridium difficile
- MRSA (wound)
Correct answer: Influenza virus
Influenza spreads primarily via large respiratory droplets (>5 µm) and requires Droplet Precautions with a surgical mask within 3 feet.
Question 5: When should hands be washed with soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand rub in a healthcare setting?
- After removing sterile gloves
- When hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile (Correct answer)
- Before administering IV medication
- After contact with intact skin
Correct answer: When hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile
Soap and water are required for visibly soiled hands and after C. difficile care because alcohol does not effectively eliminate C. difficile spores.
Question 6: Which type of isolation precaution is required for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Infection Isolation (Correct answer)
- Standard Precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne Infection Isolation
Active pulmonary TB requires Airborne Infection Isolation in a negative-pressure room and N95 respirator use due to airborne particle transmission.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a negative-pressure isolation room?
- Prevent outside air from entering the patient room
- Exhaust room air to the outside, preventing airborne pathogens from escaping (Correct answer)
- Maintain higher oxygen levels for immunocompromised patients
- Reduce humidity to inhibit microbial growth
Correct answer: Exhaust room air to the outside, preventing airborne pathogens from escaping
Negative-pressure rooms exhaust air outward to prevent airborne infectious particles from spreading into corridors.
CIC Hand Hygiene & Isolation Precautions 1
According to CDC/WHO guidelines, what is the minimum recommended duration for alcohol-based hand rub application?