FCCS FCCS Sepsis and Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention requires which bundle element?
- Routine central line flushing with heparin every 4 hours
- Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion (Correct answer)
- Daily central line change
- Use of femoral site as first choice
Correct answer: Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion
The CLABSI prevention bundle includes maximal sterile barrier (mask, cap, gown, sterile gloves, full drape) during insertion as a core element.
Question 2: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention bundles include which intervention?
- Prone positioning every 4 hours
- Daily sedation vacation and spontaneous breathing trials (Correct answer)
- Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis
- Routine bronchoscopy every 48 hours
Correct answer: Daily sedation vacation and spontaneous breathing trials
Daily sedation interruption and spontaneous breathing trials reduce ventilator days — the primary risk factor for VAP — and are core VAP bundle elements.
Question 3: Which isolation precaution is required for a patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Contact precautions
- Airborne precautions with negative pressure room (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions with negative pressure room
Pulmonary TB is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei < 5 µm requiring airborne precautions: N95 respirator and negative pressure isolation room.
Question 4: Empiric antifungal therapy with an echinocandin is most appropriate in which ICU patient?
- Any patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics for > 24 hours
- Critically ill patient with multiple risk factors and positive beta-D-glucan or clinical candidiasis (Correct answer)
- All ICU patients prophylactically
- Any febrile neutropenic patient regardless of risk
Correct answer: Critically ill patient with multiple risk factors and positive beta-D-glucan or clinical candidiasis
Echinocandin empiric therapy is indicated in critically ill patients with multiple candidiasis risk factors (prolonged antibiotics, TPN, renal replacement, colonization) plus suggestive biomarkers or clinical signs.
Question 5: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention is best achieved by:
- Changing the Foley catheter every 72 hours
- Removing the urinary catheter as soon as it is no longer needed (Correct answer)
- Routine urine cultures every 48 hours in catheterized patients
- Using antibiotic-coated catheters in all ICU patients
Correct answer: Removing the urinary catheter as soon as it is no longer needed
The most effective CAUTI prevention measure is daily reassessment and prompt removal of urinary catheters when no longer clinically indicated.
Question 6: Which hand hygiene agent is most effective against Clostridioides difficile spores?
- Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)
- Soap and water (mechanical removal) (Correct answer)
- Chlorhexidine-based scrub
- Povidone-iodine solution
Correct answer: Soap and water (mechanical removal)
Alcohol-based hand rubs do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water mechanically remove spores from hands and are required when C. diff is suspected.
FCCS FCCS Sepsis and Infection Control 2
Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention requires which bundle element?