A-IPC (2026) Exam Study Questions and
Answers Pack | Verified | 100% Accurate
• Spaulding classification - critical -✓✓Enters sterile system or the vascular system
and therefore heightens the risk of infection if contaminated with microorganisms,
including bacterial spores. To process, sterilize according to MIFU and kept in
their intact sterile packaging before use. If single use, disposed of immediately
after use.
• Spaulding classification - semi-critical -✓✓comes into contact with mucous
membranes or non-intact skin. To process, sterilize according to MIFU. Heat
sensitive items are processed through high level disinfection between patient use
according to MIFU or used as a single-use item. Sterilization is preferred.
• Spaulding classification - noncritical -✓✓comes into contact with intact skin, but
not mucous membranes. To process, disinfected or protected with barrier
according to MIFU
• Spaulding classification - single-use -✓✓Critical and semi-critical devices and
instruments that are labelled by the manufacturer to be used only once, as they
cannot be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized reliably OR devices that are purchased
with a MIFU that does not contain reprocessing instructions. These items are not
reprocessed.
• Droplet transmission -✓✓coughs and sneezes can spread droplets of saliva and
mucous. >5 micrometers diameter and less than 6 ft of travel.
• Airborne transmission -✓✓tiny particles, possibly produced by talking, as
suspended in the air for longer and travel further. <5 micrometers diameter and
greater than 6ft of travel
• appropriate practices for specimen collection -✓✓wear proper PPE, use aseptic
technique to minimize contamination, proper identification (label immediately),
use of sterile containers, avoid cross-contamination
,• appropriate practices for specimen transport -✓✓proper containment (usually
with biohazard bags), cold-chain maintenance (if required), timely delivery,
documentation (keep records of transport), ensure transport vehicles are clean
• appropriate practices for specimen handling -✓✓minimum handling, use of
biohazard bags, work area is clean, centrifugation (if needed, ensure in proper
BSL), proper sharps handling
• appropriate practices for specimen storage -✓✓store at proper temperature,
labelled properly, proper separation and organization of specimens, strict access to
specimens, monitor conditions to ensure no changes, and clearly define expiration
dates and dispose of when expired
• colonization -✓✓microorganisms live on body surface, but do not cause disease.
No symptoms, no immune response, harmless. No treatment needed, but the person
can still be a source of transmission.
• infection -✓✓microorganisms invade the body, multiple, and cause tissue
damage and immune response. Symptoms present and immune system activated.
Treatment needed and can lead to complications if not treated
• pseudo-infection (contamination) -✓✓microorganisms are introduced during
specimen collection or processing, not causing disease. No disease symptoms,
false-positive lab results due to external contamination. No treatment needed, but
misdiagnosis can occur, leading to unnecessary interventions
• prophylactic antimicrobial use -✓✓administration of an antimicrobial agent to
prevent an infection before it occurs. Typically used in situations where a person is
at high risk of developing an infection due to surgery, immunosuppression, or
exposure to a pathogen. For example, antibiotics given before/after surgery to
prevent SSI
• empirical antimicrobial use -✓✓Initiated when a patient presents with symptoms
of infection, but the specific pathogen may has not yet been identified. In this case,
broad-spectrum antibiotics are often prescribed based on the most likely pathogens,
local epidemiology, and clinical presentation. Once lab results identify the
causative organism, the treatment can be adjusted
, • therapeutic antimicrobial use -✓✓use of antimicrobials to treat an established
infection where the causative organism has been identified (or strongly suspected)
and is known to be susceptible to the prescribed agent. This use is targeted and
specific, aiming to eradicate infection.
• hand hygiene -✓✓perform before and after patient contact, before handling or
eating food, after using the restroom, and after handling any contaminated
material. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that is at
least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren't available
• appropriate availability, selection, use, and disposal of PPE -✓✓ensure PPE is
readily available in appropriate locations, use PPE based on the type of exposure
risk, dispose of properly after use (gloves should be discarded immediately after
patient contact)
• donning of PPE -✓✓start with hand hygiene, then put on gown, mask, eye
protection, and gloves in that order.
• doffing of PPE -✓✓remove gloves first (to avoid contamination), then gown, eye
protection, and mask. Perform hand hygiene after each step
• patient placement, transfer, and discharge -✓✓placement: patients are in
appropriate isolation rooms based on their infection type
transfer: ensure proper PPE use and infection control measures during patient
______ to prevent spreading of infections
discharge: ensure patient is properly decontaminated (if needed) and provide
instructions for continued infection prevention at home
• respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette -✓✓cover your mouth/nose with tissue or
your elbow when coughing/sneezing, dispose of tissues properly and wash hands
afterwards, encourage patients to wear masks when symptomatic, especially in
healthcare settings
• use of patient care products and medical equipment -✓✓clean and disinfect
medical equipment between uses, use single-use items when appropriate and
discard after use, regularly maintain and sterilize reusable equipment according to
guidelines
Answers Pack | Verified | 100% Accurate
• Spaulding classification - critical -✓✓Enters sterile system or the vascular system
and therefore heightens the risk of infection if contaminated with microorganisms,
including bacterial spores. To process, sterilize according to MIFU and kept in
their intact sterile packaging before use. If single use, disposed of immediately
after use.
• Spaulding classification - semi-critical -✓✓comes into contact with mucous
membranes or non-intact skin. To process, sterilize according to MIFU. Heat
sensitive items are processed through high level disinfection between patient use
according to MIFU or used as a single-use item. Sterilization is preferred.
• Spaulding classification - noncritical -✓✓comes into contact with intact skin, but
not mucous membranes. To process, disinfected or protected with barrier
according to MIFU
• Spaulding classification - single-use -✓✓Critical and semi-critical devices and
instruments that are labelled by the manufacturer to be used only once, as they
cannot be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized reliably OR devices that are purchased
with a MIFU that does not contain reprocessing instructions. These items are not
reprocessed.
• Droplet transmission -✓✓coughs and sneezes can spread droplets of saliva and
mucous. >5 micrometers diameter and less than 6 ft of travel.
• Airborne transmission -✓✓tiny particles, possibly produced by talking, as
suspended in the air for longer and travel further. <5 micrometers diameter and
greater than 6ft of travel
• appropriate practices for specimen collection -✓✓wear proper PPE, use aseptic
technique to minimize contamination, proper identification (label immediately),
use of sterile containers, avoid cross-contamination
,• appropriate practices for specimen transport -✓✓proper containment (usually
with biohazard bags), cold-chain maintenance (if required), timely delivery,
documentation (keep records of transport), ensure transport vehicles are clean
• appropriate practices for specimen handling -✓✓minimum handling, use of
biohazard bags, work area is clean, centrifugation (if needed, ensure in proper
BSL), proper sharps handling
• appropriate practices for specimen storage -✓✓store at proper temperature,
labelled properly, proper separation and organization of specimens, strict access to
specimens, monitor conditions to ensure no changes, and clearly define expiration
dates and dispose of when expired
• colonization -✓✓microorganisms live on body surface, but do not cause disease.
No symptoms, no immune response, harmless. No treatment needed, but the person
can still be a source of transmission.
• infection -✓✓microorganisms invade the body, multiple, and cause tissue
damage and immune response. Symptoms present and immune system activated.
Treatment needed and can lead to complications if not treated
• pseudo-infection (contamination) -✓✓microorganisms are introduced during
specimen collection or processing, not causing disease. No disease symptoms,
false-positive lab results due to external contamination. No treatment needed, but
misdiagnosis can occur, leading to unnecessary interventions
• prophylactic antimicrobial use -✓✓administration of an antimicrobial agent to
prevent an infection before it occurs. Typically used in situations where a person is
at high risk of developing an infection due to surgery, immunosuppression, or
exposure to a pathogen. For example, antibiotics given before/after surgery to
prevent SSI
• empirical antimicrobial use -✓✓Initiated when a patient presents with symptoms
of infection, but the specific pathogen may has not yet been identified. In this case,
broad-spectrum antibiotics are often prescribed based on the most likely pathogens,
local epidemiology, and clinical presentation. Once lab results identify the
causative organism, the treatment can be adjusted
, • therapeutic antimicrobial use -✓✓use of antimicrobials to treat an established
infection where the causative organism has been identified (or strongly suspected)
and is known to be susceptible to the prescribed agent. This use is targeted and
specific, aiming to eradicate infection.
• hand hygiene -✓✓perform before and after patient contact, before handling or
eating food, after using the restroom, and after handling any contaminated
material. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that is at
least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren't available
• appropriate availability, selection, use, and disposal of PPE -✓✓ensure PPE is
readily available in appropriate locations, use PPE based on the type of exposure
risk, dispose of properly after use (gloves should be discarded immediately after
patient contact)
• donning of PPE -✓✓start with hand hygiene, then put on gown, mask, eye
protection, and gloves in that order.
• doffing of PPE -✓✓remove gloves first (to avoid contamination), then gown, eye
protection, and mask. Perform hand hygiene after each step
• patient placement, transfer, and discharge -✓✓placement: patients are in
appropriate isolation rooms based on their infection type
transfer: ensure proper PPE use and infection control measures during patient
______ to prevent spreading of infections
discharge: ensure patient is properly decontaminated (if needed) and provide
instructions for continued infection prevention at home
• respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette -✓✓cover your mouth/nose with tissue or
your elbow when coughing/sneezing, dispose of tissues properly and wash hands
afterwards, encourage patients to wear masks when symptomatic, especially in
healthcare settings
• use of patient care products and medical equipment -✓✓clean and disinfect
medical equipment between uses, use single-use items when appropriate and
discard after use, regularly maintain and sterilize reusable equipment according to
guidelines
