MARYLAND INFECTION PREVENTION SPECIALIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM II QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary goal of infection prevention and
control programs?
A. Reduce hospital costs
B. Eliminate all microorganisms in the environment
C. Prevent and reduce healthcare-associated infections
D. Increase patient turnover
Rationale: Infection prevention programs focus on reducing
healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) through evidence-based
practices.
Correct Answer: C. Prevent and reduce healthcare-associated
infections
2. Which of the following is the most effective method for
preventing infection transmission?
A. Antibiotic prophylaxis
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing double gloves
D. Using air fresheners
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to
prevent the spread of pathogens.
Correct Answer: B. Hand hygiene
3. The chain of infection includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Reservoir
B. Mode of transmission
C. Host susceptibility
D. Vaccination schedule
Rationale: Vaccination schedule is a prevention strategy, not a
component of the chain of infection.
Correct Answer: D. Vaccination schedule
4. Standard precautions apply to:
A. Only patients with known infections
B. Only ICU patients
C. All patients regardless of diagnosis
D. Only surgical patients
Rationale: Standard precautions are used for all patients to
prevent transmission of infectious agents.
Correct Answer: C. All patients regardless of diagnosis
5. Which PPE is required when there is risk of blood splashing?
,A. Mask only
B. Gloves only
C. Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
D. Shoe covers only
Rationale: Full barrier protection is required when exposure to
blood or body fluids is possible.
Correct Answer: C. Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
6. The process of killing all microorganisms including spores is
called:
A. Disinfection
B. Sanitization
C. Sterilization
D. Antisepsis
Rationale: Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life,
including spores.
Correct Answer: C. Sterilization
7. Which organism is most commonly associated with
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Plasmodium falciparum
C. Giardia lamblia
D. Trichinella spiralis
, Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA strains, is a
common HAI pathogen.
Correct Answer: A. Staphylococcus aureus
8. Contact precautions are used for infections spread by:
A. Airborne droplets only
B. Direct or indirect contact
C. Food contamination
D. Vector transmission
Rationale: Contact precautions prevent spread via direct or
indirect physical contact.
Correct Answer: B. Direct or indirect contact
9. Which of the following is an example of a reservoir?
A. Air conditioner
B. Human gastrointestinal tract
C. Surgical mask
D. Antibiotic therapy
Rationale: A reservoir is where pathogens live and multiply,
including the human body.
Correct Answer: B. Human gastrointestinal tract
10. The correct order of donning PPE is:
CERTIFICATION EXAM II QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary goal of infection prevention and
control programs?
A. Reduce hospital costs
B. Eliminate all microorganisms in the environment
C. Prevent and reduce healthcare-associated infections
D. Increase patient turnover
Rationale: Infection prevention programs focus on reducing
healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) through evidence-based
practices.
Correct Answer: C. Prevent and reduce healthcare-associated
infections
2. Which of the following is the most effective method for
preventing infection transmission?
A. Antibiotic prophylaxis
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing double gloves
D. Using air fresheners
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to
prevent the spread of pathogens.
Correct Answer: B. Hand hygiene
3. The chain of infection includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Reservoir
B. Mode of transmission
C. Host susceptibility
D. Vaccination schedule
Rationale: Vaccination schedule is a prevention strategy, not a
component of the chain of infection.
Correct Answer: D. Vaccination schedule
4. Standard precautions apply to:
A. Only patients with known infections
B. Only ICU patients
C. All patients regardless of diagnosis
D. Only surgical patients
Rationale: Standard precautions are used for all patients to
prevent transmission of infectious agents.
Correct Answer: C. All patients regardless of diagnosis
5. Which PPE is required when there is risk of blood splashing?
,A. Mask only
B. Gloves only
C. Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
D. Shoe covers only
Rationale: Full barrier protection is required when exposure to
blood or body fluids is possible.
Correct Answer: C. Gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection
6. The process of killing all microorganisms including spores is
called:
A. Disinfection
B. Sanitization
C. Sterilization
D. Antisepsis
Rationale: Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life,
including spores.
Correct Answer: C. Sterilization
7. Which organism is most commonly associated with
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Plasmodium falciparum
C. Giardia lamblia
D. Trichinella spiralis
, Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA strains, is a
common HAI pathogen.
Correct Answer: A. Staphylococcus aureus
8. Contact precautions are used for infections spread by:
A. Airborne droplets only
B. Direct or indirect contact
C. Food contamination
D. Vector transmission
Rationale: Contact precautions prevent spread via direct or
indirect physical contact.
Correct Answer: B. Direct or indirect contact
9. Which of the following is an example of a reservoir?
A. Air conditioner
B. Human gastrointestinal tract
C. Surgical mask
D. Antibiotic therapy
Rationale: A reservoir is where pathogens live and multiply,
including the human body.
Correct Answer: B. Human gastrointestinal tract
10. The correct order of donning PPE is:
