CIC Outbreak Investigation 4

Question 1

In a hospital outbreak investigation, which element is essential to include in a case definition during the initial phase?

Accepted Answer

Clinical criteria, time period, place, and person characteristics

Answer

An initial case definition includes clinical criteria, time (onset period), place (unit or facility), and person characteristics and may be sensitive rather than highly specific.

Question 2

Which scenario best represents a propagated epidemic curve pattern?

Accepted Answer

Cases occurring in successive waves approximately one incubation period apart

Answer

Propagated outbreaks show successive waves of cases separated by intervals approximately equal to the incubation period, reflecting person-to-person transmission.

Question 3

An ICP is investigating a cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a burn unit. Which initial environmental sampling site should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Hydrotherapy equipment, sink drains, and water outlets

Answer

P. aeruginosa is a waterborne organism that colonizes moist environments, making hydrotherapy equipment, sink drains, and water outlets the highest-priority sampling sites.

Question 4

The secondary attack rate in a household is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The proportion of susceptible household contacts who develop illness after exposure to a primary case

Answer

The secondary attack rate measures the proportion of susceptible contacts in a defined setting who develop illness after exposure to a primary case, reflecting transmission efficiency.

Question 5

During an outbreak investigation, information collected in the line list reveals that all cases worked the night shift. This finding most directly suggests:

Accepted Answer

A time-place association that may indicate a common exposure on the night shift

Answer

A clustering of cases by work shift suggests a common exposure associated with the night shift environment, schedule, or shared equipment.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC Outbreak Investigation 4