Free CIC Practice Questions (CBIC Infection Control)

5 sample questions

Pick your answer, then reveal the correct choice and the reasoning. Written by Medicova's IMETS instructors — original questions, not copied from the CBIC exam.

1. 1. According to the WHO “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene,” when should you clean your hands in relation to touching a patient?

   • A.Only after touching the patient
   • B.Both before and after touching the patient
   • C.Only when your hands are visibly soiled
   • D.Once at the start of each shift
   +–Reveal answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B. Both before and after touching the patient

   The WHO defines five moments: before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body-fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching the patient's surroundings. Hand hygiene is therefore needed both before and after patient contact — not only when hands look dirty.

2. 2. A patient with pulmonary tuberculosis requires which transmission-based precautions?

   • A.Contact precautions
   • B.Droplet precautions
   • C.Airborne precautions
   • D.Standard precautions only
   +–Reveal answer & explanation

   Correct answer: C. Airborne precautions

   TB spreads through droplet nuclei that stay suspended in the air, so airborne precautions apply: a negative-pressure (airborne infection isolation) room and a fit-tested N95/FFP2 respirator. Droplet precautions with a surgical mask are used for larger droplets, as with influenza.

3. 3. Which indicator gives the best assurance that a steam sterilization cycle actually achieved sterilization?

   • A.External chemical indicator tape on the pack
   • B.A biological indicator (spore test)
   • C.The sterilizer's time-and-temperature printout
   • D.The pack feeling dry at the end of the cycle
   +–Reveal answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B. A biological indicator (spore test)

   A biological indicator uses resistant bacterial spores (Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam) and directly confirms that conditions lethal to microorganisms were met. Chemical and physical monitors are necessary checks but do not prove that spores were killed.

4. 4. A central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is best defined as a laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection in a patient who:

   • A.Has any peripheral IV cannula in place
   • B.Had a central line in place for more than two days with no other attributable source
   • C.Develops a fever on any day of admission
   • D.Has an indwelling urinary catheter
   +–Reveal answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B. Had a central line in place for more than two days with no other attributable source

   Standard surveillance definitions (CDC/NHSN) classify a bloodstream infection as a CLABSI when a central line was in place for more than two calendar days, was present on or the day before the event, and the infection is not attributable to another site.

5. 5. During a norovirus outbreak on a ward, which measure is most effective at interrupting transmission?

   • A.Relying on alcohol-based hand rub alone
   • B.Hand washing with soap and water, contact precautions and thorough environmental cleaning
   • C.Prophylactic antibiotics for all staff
   • D.Keeping the ward windows closed
   +–Reveal answer & explanation

   Correct answer: B. Hand washing with soap and water, contact precautions and thorough environmental cleaning

   Norovirus is relatively resistant to alcohol-based hand rubs, so soap-and-water hand washing, contact precautions, patient cohorting and thorough cleaning (often with a chlorine-based agent) are the backbone of control. Antibiotics have no effect on a virus.

Written by Medicova's IMETS infection-control instructors.