CIC Surveillance & Epidemiologic Investigation 4

Question 1

When constructing a case definition during an outbreak investigation, which element is NOT typically included?

Accepted Answer

Treatment protocol used

Answer

Case definitions include person, place, and time criteria; the treatment protocol is not part of defining a case.

Question 2

Which concept describes the ability of a surveillance system to detect outbreaks or increases in infection rates in a timely manner?

Accepted Answer

Sensitivity

Answer

In surveillance system evaluation, sensitivity refers to the system's ability to detect true cases and outbreaks that actually occur.

Question 3

A hospital observes a sudden increase in MRSA bacteremia. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) reveals identical strains in all cases. What does this finding suggest?

Accepted Answer

A common-source or clonal outbreak

Answer

Identical WGS profiles indicate clonal transmission, suggesting a common source or person-to-person spread of a single strain.

Question 4

Which NHSN event type requires that the patient has no evidence of infection on admission and signs/symptoms appear on or after the third calendar day of admission?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Answer

NHSN defines an HAI as one where signs/symptoms appear on calendar day 3 or later, indicating healthcare onset.

Question 5

An IP reviews lab data and notices a spike in C. difficile positives. Before declaring an outbreak, which alternative explanation should be ruled out first?

Accepted Answer

A change in testing methodology or ordering practices

Answer

A change in testing method (e.g., switching to a more sensitive PCR assay) or increased ordering can produce apparent spikes without true disease increase.

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC - Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Practice Test

CIC Surveillance & Epidemiologic Investigation 4