a-IPC study plan

Define the chain of infection and label each link with a concrete example

Distinguish hand hygiene indications (before/after patient contact, after body-fluid exposure) and identify common failure points

List standard precautions and match each to the situation that triggers it

Build a one-page glossary of core IPC terms (colonization, contamination, transmission-based precautions)

Differentiate contact, droplet, and airborne precautions and state the PPE required for each

Sequence correct donning and doffing order and explain why each step matters

Identify when to use a respirator versus a surgical mask

Practice verbalizing isolation signage requirements for a hypothetical patient

Explain how to clean and disinfect reusable equipment and distinguish cleaning from disinfection from sterilization

Describe safe handling and disposal of sharps and body-fluid spills

Outline waste segregation categories and identify common misclassification errors

Summarize safe injection practices and single-use vial rules

Identify healthcare-associated infection risk factors and common device-related infections (CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP)

Explain the role of surveillance and reporting in outbreak detection

Describe basic outbreak investigation steps and when to escalate

Self-test on Domain 1 with timed practice items and log every missed concept

Map the associate-level practice domains into a personal study outline with weightings

Define key terms for each practice domain and flag any gaps needing review

Apply a structured decision-making approach to 2 scenario-based practice items per domain

Identify which practice-domain topics overlap with IPC content already studied

Work through scenario-based items for each associate-level domain and justify each answer in writing

Compare your rationale against correct reasoning and categorize errors (knowledge gap, misread, or reasoning error)

List professional-communication and documentation principles relevant to practice

Identify ethical and scope-of-practice considerations in sample scenarios

Complete a full-length timed mixed practice exam under test conditions

Calculate a domain-by-domain score and rank weakest subtopics

Re-review every missed item and rewrite the underlying rule in your own words

Revisit Domain 1 high-yield facts (precautions, PPE, hand hygiene) using spaced repetition

Re-drill only the weakest subtopics identified in week 7 until each is answered correctly twice in a row

Take a second timed mixed practice exam and compare scores to week 7

Recite key IPC rules and practice-domain principles from memory without notes

Finalize a test-day plan covering timing, review strategy, and flag-and-return tactics