CIC Infectious Agent Transmission 2

Question 1

A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis is placed in a negative-pressure room. What is the primary transmission route being prevented?

Accepted Answer

Airborne transmission

Answer

TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei (<5 µm) that remain suspended in air, requiring negative-pressure isolation rooms with HEPA filtration.

Question 2

Which pathogen is most commonly associated with fecal-oral transmission via contaminated water supplies?

Accepted Answer

Cryptosporidium parvum

Answer

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is highly resistant to chlorination, making it a common waterborne pathogen.

Question 3

A nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient with unknown HIV status. The MOST important immediate action is:

Accepted Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water

Answer

Immediate thorough washing of the wound with soap and water is the first step, reducing pathogen load before other interventions.

Question 4

Vector-borne transmission of West Nile Virus occurs through which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Biological transmission via mosquito bite

Answer

West Nile Virus undergoes biological transmission, replicating within the mosquito vector before being injected into a new host during feeding.

Question 5

Which factor most significantly increases the risk of healthcare-associated pathogen transmission via the contact route?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate hand hygiene compliance among staff

Answer

Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent contact transmission, as hands are the primary vector for pathogen spread between patients.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC Infectious Agent Transmission 2