CIC Prevention Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which PPE item must be donned FIRST when preparing to enter an airborne isolation room?
- Gloves
- Gown
- N95 respirator (Correct answer)
- Eye protection
Correct answer: N95 respirator
The N95 respirator is donned first so it is properly seated before other PPE is applied, ensuring an adequate seal.
Question 2: A patient with Clostridioides difficile infection is on contact precautions. Which hand hygiene agent is MOST effective after removing gloves?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Soap and water (Correct answer)
- Chlorhexidine gluconate wipes
- Povidone-iodine scrub
Correct answer: Soap and water
Soap and water is required for C. difficile because alcohol-based products do not reliably kill C. difficile spores.
Question 3: A nurse recaps a used needle using the one-hand scoop technique. Which statement BEST describes this practice?
- It is prohibited under all circumstances
- It is an acceptable safer practice compared to two-hand recapping (Correct answer)
- It is only acceptable with safety-engineered needles
- It is recommended only in procedural areas
Correct answer: It is an acceptable safer practice compared to two-hand recapping
One-hand scooping is an accepted safer recapping technique when recapping is absolutely necessary, reducing needlestick risk compared to two-hand methods.
Question 4: Which intervention is the HIGHEST priority to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)?
- Daily meatal care with antiseptic solution
- Maintaining a closed drainage system (Correct answer)
- Irrigating the catheter daily with saline
- Changing the catheter every 72 hours
Correct answer: Maintaining a closed drainage system
Maintaining a closed sterile drainage system is the single most important intervention to prevent CAUTI by blocking the extraluminal route of entry.
Question 5: Environmental services staff should use an EPA-registered disinfectant with a label claim against which organism when cleaning a room after a patient on contact precautions for norovirus?
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Clostridium difficile
- Norovirus (human norovirus surrogate) (Correct answer)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Correct answer: Norovirus (human norovirus surrogate)
Norovirus requires an EPA-registered product with a specific label claim against norovirus or an approved surrogate such as feline calicivirus.
Question 6: According to the CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), what is the recommended minimum number of air changes per hour (ACH) for an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?
- 6 ACH
- 12 ACH (Correct answer)
- 20 ACH
- 25 ACH
Correct answer: 12 ACH
HICPAC recommends a minimum of 12 ACH for AIIRs to adequately dilute and remove airborne infectious particles.
Question 7: A bundle approach to preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) includes maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion. Which element is NOT part of this bundle?
- Large sterile drape covering the patient
- Full-length sterile gown and gloves for the inserter
- Sterile cap and mask for the inserter
- Routine antibiotic prophylaxis before insertion (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Routine antibiotic prophylaxis before insertion
Routine systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended as part of the CLABSI bundle and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
CIC Prevention Practices 2
Which PPE item must be donned FIRST when preparing to enter an airborne isolation room?