CPC Infection Control and Communicable Disease Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hepatitis virus is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water (fecal-oral route)?
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis A (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis D
Correct answer: Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food and water, unlike Hepatitis B and C which are bloodborne.
Question 2: What is the typical incubation period for influenza?
- Less than 12 hours
- 1 to 4 days (Correct answer)
- 7 to 14 days
- 21 to 28 days
Correct answer: 1 to 4 days
Influenza has an incubation period of 1–4 days, meaning symptoms typically appear within this window after exposure.
Question 3: Which of the following is correct regarding the donning (putting on) sequence for full PPE?
- Gloves → gown → mask → eye protection
- Mask → eye protection → gown → gloves (Correct answer)
- Gown → eye protection → gloves → mask
- Eye protection → gloves → gown → mask
Correct answer: Mask → eye protection → gown → gloves
The CDC-recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, eye protection, and finally gloves, ensuring clean hands are used at each step before contamination risk increases.
Question 4: A patient in a community care setting is suspected of having scabies. Which type of precautions should the community paramedic implement?
- Airborne precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Contact precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Contact precautions
Scabies is caused by mites transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, requiring contact precautions including gown and gloves.
Question 5: Which level of disinfection is required for semi-critical medical equipment that contacts intact mucous membranes but does not penetrate tissue?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
Semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes require high-level disinfection, which kills all microorganisms except high levels of bacterial spores.
Question 6: What is the primary route of transmission for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community setting?
- Airborne droplet nuclei
- Contaminated food and water
- Direct contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces (Correct answer)
- Vector-borne transmission via insects
Correct answer: Direct contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces
MRSA is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or touching contaminated surfaces, making hand hygiene and contact precautions the key prevention strategies.
Question 7: Which of the following diseases requires mandatory reporting to the local or state public health authority in the US?
- Common cold
- Seasonal allergies
- Pertussis (whooping cough) (Correct answer)
- Non-specific viral gastroenteritis
Correct answer: Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pertussis is a nationally notifiable disease in the US, and all confirmed or suspected cases must be reported to public health authorities for outbreak prevention.
CPC Infection Control and Communicable Disease Prevention 2
Which hepatitis virus is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water (fecal-oral route)?