Free Practice Questions for CBIC CIC Exam

The correct answer is D, "Manufacturer representatives," as they are responsible for providing information regarding clinical trials when evaluating environmental cleaning and disinfectant products as part of the product evaluation committee. According to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) guidelines, manufacturers are the primary source of data on the efficacy, safety, and performance of their products, including clinical trial results that demonstrate the disinfectant’s ability to reduce microbial load or prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.4 - Implement environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols). This information is critical for the committee to assess whether the product meets regulatory standards (e.g., EPA registration) and aligns with infection prevention goals, and it is typically supported by documentation such as peer-reviewed studies or trial data provided by the manufacturer.

Option A (Infection Preventionist) plays a key role in evaluating the product’s fit within infection control practices and may contribute expertise or conduct internal assessments, but they are not responsible for providing clinical trial data, which originates from the manufacturer. Option B (Clinical representatives) can offer insights into clinical usage and outcomes but rely on manufacturer data for trial evidence rather than generating it. Option C (Environmental Services) focuses on the practical application and cleaning processes but lacks the authority or resources to conduct or provide clinical trial information.

The reliance on manufacturer representatives aligns with CBIC’s emphasis on evidence-based decision-making in product selection, ensuring that the product evaluation committee bases its choices on robust, manufacturer-supplied clinical data (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain II: Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation, Competency 2.5 - Use data to guide infection prevention and control strategies). This approach supports the safe and effective implementation of environmental cleaning products in healthcare settings.

According to CDC and APIC guidelines, a surgical mask is required when performing lumbar punctures to prevent bacterial contamination (e.g., meningitis caused by droplet transmission of oral flora).

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. Personal eyeglasses should be worn during suctioning – Incorrect because eyeglasses do not provide adequate eye protection. Goggles or face shields should be used.

C. Gloves should be worn when handling or touching a cardiac monitor that has been disinfected – Not necessary unless recontamination is suspected.

D. Eye protection should be worn when providing patient care after unprotected exposure – Eye protection should be used before exposure, not just after.

CBIC Infection Control Reference

APIC states that surgical masks must be worn for procedures such as lumbar puncture to reduce infection risk​.

The Certification Study Guide (6th edition) emphasizes that effective surveillance depends on the ability to calculate rates, not just counts. To calculate any infection rate, both a numerator (number of infection events) and a denominator (population at risk or time at risk) are required. Therefore, inclusion of denominator information is essential when designing a data collection form for surveillance.

Denominator data may include patient days, device days (e.g., central line days, ventilator days), number of procedures, or number of admissions—depending on the surveillance objective. Without denominator data, infection preventionists cannot calculate standardized rates, compare trends over time, or benchmark against national databases. The study guide clearly states that surveillance systems lacking denominator data produce incomplete and potentially misleading results.

The other options are either vague or inappropriate. While data collection forms should avoid unnecessary information, simply stating “only the information needed” does not address the critical requirement for denominator data. Collecting “as much information as possible” is discouraged because it increases workload, reduces data quality, and may compromise sustainability of surveillance programs. Medication history is not routinely required for most surveillance activities unless it is directly related to the infection being studied.

This question reflects a fundamental CIC exam principle: surveillance must be designed to support valid rate calculation and analysis. Including denominator information ensures that collected data are meaningful, actionable, and aligned with evidence-based infection prevention practices.

Requiring influenza vaccination as a condition of employment has consistently been shown to be the most effective method to increase compliance among healthcare personnel.

The APIC/JCR Workbook recommends this as a gold standard:

"Some organizations have adopted policies requiring annual vaccination as a condition of employment unless medically contraindicated".

CDC and APIC also support this method for maximizing coverage and protecting vulnerable populations.

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae in a high-risk area like the ICU requires urgent investigation because:

It spreads rapidly via contaminated hands or equipment.

It poses a serious risk to immunocompromised patients.

An outbreak could lead to severe hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. One blood isolate of Streptococcus agalactiae in the nursery – Single cases are not indicative of an outbreak.

B. Two isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in postoperative surgical sites – Common post-surgical pathogen; requires monitoring but not immediate outbreak investigation.

D. Two blood isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the oncology unit – Common contaminants in blood cultures and not immediately alarming.

CBIC Infection Control Reference

APIC guidelines prioritize investigating MDR pathogens in high-risk units, such as ICU, to prevent transmission​.

The CBIC Certified Infection Control Exam Study Guide (6th edition) emphasizes that the most important criterion when selecting a disinfectant is the intended purpose for which it will be used. Disinfectants must be chosen based on the type of surface or item, the level of microbial kill required, and the risk of infection associated with the use of that item. This approach aligns with Spaulding’s classification system, which categorizes items as critical, semi-critical, or noncritical and guides the required level of disinfection or sterilization.

Understanding the purpose of the disinfectant ensures that the selected product is effective against the appropriate microorganisms and suitable for the clinical application, whether it involves environmental surfaces, noncritical patient care equipment, or semi-critical devices. For example, a low-level disinfectant may be sufficient for noncritical items, whereas high-level disinfection is required for semi-critical devices. Selecting a disinfectant without first defining its purpose can result in ineffective infection prevention or unnecessary exposure to harsh chemicals.

Option A is incorrect because disinfectants are not intended for use on living tissue; antiseptics serve that role. Option C is secondary—while active ingredients matter, they are evaluated after determining intended use. Option D is important for safety and regulatory compliance but does not drive appropriateness of clinical application.

For the CIC® exam, recognizing that intended use is the foundational decision point in disinfectant selection is essential for evidence-based infection prevention practice.

The optimal specimen for identifying the etiologic agent in a prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a joint aspirate (synovial fluid). This is because:

It provides direct access to the infected site without contamination from external sources.

It allows for accurate microbiologic culture, Gram stain, and leukocyte count analysis.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. Blood – Blood cultures may help detect hematogenous spread but are not the best sample for identifying localized prosthetic joint infections.

B. Wound drainage – Wound cultures often contain contaminants from surrounding skin flora and do not accurately reflect joint space infection.

D. Sinus tract tissue – Cultures from sinus tracts often represent colonization rather than the primary infecting organism.

CBIC Infection Control Reference

APIC guidelines confirm that joint aspirate is the most reliable specimen for diagnosing prosthetic joint infections​.

When an infection preventionist (IP) is informed of a measles outbreak in a nearby community, the immediate priority is to protect healthcare workers and patients from potential exposure, particularly in a healthcare setting where vulnerable populations are present. Working with Occupational Health, the IP must follow a structured approach to mitigate the risk of transmission, guided by principles from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) and public health guidelines. Let’s evaluate each option to determine the first priority:

A. Isolate employees who have recently traveled to areas with measles outbreaks: Isolating employees who may have been exposed to measles during travel is an important infection control measure to prevent transmission within the facility. However, this action assumes that exposure has already occurred and requires identification of affected employees first. Without knowing the immunity status of the workforce, this step is reactive rather than preventive and cannot be the first priority.

B. Reassign employees who are pregnant from caring for patients with suspected measles: Reassigning pregnant employees is a protective measure due to the severe risks measles poses to fetuses (e.g., congenital rubella syndrome risks, though measles itself is more about maternal complications). This action is specific to a subset of employees and depends on identifying patients with suspected measles, which may not yet be confirmed. It is a secondary step that follows assessing overall immunity and exposure risks, making it inappropriate as the first priority.

C. Verify that employees in high-risk exposure areas of the facility have adequate immunity to measles: Verifying immunity is the foundational step in preventing measles transmission in a healthcare setting. Measles is highly contagious, and healthcare workers in high-risk areas (e.g., emergency departments, pediatric wards) are at increased risk of exposure. The CBIC and CDC recommend ensuring that all healthcare personnel have documented evidence of measles immunity (e.g., two doses of MMR vaccine, laboratory evidence of immunity, or prior infection) as a primary infection control strategy during outbreaks. This step allows the IP to identify vulnerable employees, implement targeted interventions, and comply with occupational health regulations. It is the most proactive and immediate priority when an outbreak is reported in the community.

D. Set up a mandatory vaccination clinic in collaboration with Occupational Health and local public health partners: Establishing a vaccination clinic is a critical long-term strategy to increase immunity and control the outbreak. However, this requires planning, resource allocation, and coordination, which take time. It is a subsequent step that follows verifying immunity status to identify those who need vaccination. While important, it cannot be the first priority due to its logistical demands.

The first priority is C, as verifying immunity among employees in high-risk areas establishes a baseline to prevent transmission before reactive measures (e.g., isolation, reassignment) or broader interventions (e.g., vaccination clinics) are implemented. This aligns with CBIC’s focus on proactive risk assessment and occupational health safety during infectious disease outbreaks, ensuring a rapid response to protect the healthcare workforce and patients.

CBIC Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Core Competency Model (updated 2023), Domain III: Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, which prioritizes immunity verification during outbreaks.

CBIC Examination Content Outline, Domain IV: Environment of Care, which includes ensuring employee immunity as part of outbreak preparedness.

CDC Guidelines for Measles Prevention (2023), which recommend verifying healthcare worker immunity as the initial step during a measles outbreak.

Perioperative normothermia maintenance reduces SSI rates by improving immune function and tissue perfusion​.

Routine wound irrigation (B) has no strong evidence supporting SSI prevention.

Prolonged antibiotic use (C) increases antibiotic resistance without added benefit.

Extended use of wound dressings (D) does not reduce SSI rates.

CBIC Infection Control References:

APIC Text, "SSI Prevention in Surgery," Chapter 12​.

The correct answer is D, "Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine," as this is the recommended regimen for an HBsAb-negative employee with a percutaneous exposure to blood from an HBsAg-positive patient. According to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) guidelines, which align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure depends on the employee’s vaccination status and the source’s HBsAg status. For an unvaccinated or known HBsAb-negative individual (indicating no immunity) exposed to HBsAg-positive blood, the standard PEP includes both HBIG and the hepatitis B vaccine. HBIG provides immediate passive immunity by delivering pre-formed antibodies, while the vaccine initiates active immunity to prevent future infections (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.2 - Implement measures to prevent transmission of infectious agents). The HBIG should be administered within 24 hours of exposure (preferably within 7 days), and the first dose of the vaccine should be given concurrently, followed by the complete vaccine series.

Option A (immune serum globulin and hepatitis B vaccine) is incorrect because immune serum globulin (ISG) is a general immunoglobulin preparation and not specific for HBV; HBIG, which contains high titers of anti-HBs, is the appropriate specific immunoglobulin for HBV exposure. Option B (hepatitis B immune globulin [HBIG] alone) is insufficient, as it provides only temporary passive immunity without initiating long-term active immunity through vaccination, which is critical for an unvaccinated individual. Option C (hepatitis B vaccine alone) is inadequate for immediate post-exposure protection, as it takes weeks to develop immunity, leaving the employee vulnerable in the interim.

The recommendation for HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine aligns with CBIC’s emphasis on evidence-based post-exposure management to prevent HBV transmission in healthcare settings (CBIC Practice Analysis, 2022, Domain III: Infection Prevention and Control, Competency 3.1 - Collaborate with organizational leaders). This dual approach is supported by CDC guidelines, which prioritize rapid intervention to reduce the risk of seroconversion following percutaneous exposure (CDC Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV, 2013).