CIC (AAPC) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chain of infection links

Six sequential links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Breaking any single link interrupts transmission.

Gram stain interpretation

Gram-positive organisms retain crystal violet and appear purple; gram-negative organisms decolorize and counterstain pink. Cell shape further narrows identification to cocci or bacilli.

Sensitivity versus specificity

Sensitivity is the proportion of truly diseased persons correctly identified as positive. Specificity is the proportion of truly nondiseased persons correctly identified as negative.

Healthcare-associated infection definition

An infection not present or incubating at admission, typically manifesting at or after 48 hours of hospitalization, or related to a device or procedure.

Incidence versus prevalence

Incidence counts new cases divided by the population at risk over a time period. Prevalence counts all existing cases divided by the total population at a point in time.

Attack rate formula

Attack rate equals the number of people ill divided by the number of people exposed, multiplied by 100. It compares illness risk between exposed and unexposed groups during outbreaks.

Epidemic curve patterns

A point source produces a single sharp peak. A continuous common source produces a plateau. A propagated outbreak shows successive peaks roughly one incubation period apart.

Standardized infection ratio

The SIR equals observed infections divided by predicted infections after risk adjustment. A value above 1.0 indicates more infections than expected.

Outbreak investigation sequence

Confirm the outbreak exists, verify diagnoses, define a case, identify cases, describe by person, place, and time, form a hypothesis, test it, intervene, and communicate findings.

Standard precautions scope

Applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask and eye protection based on anticipated exposure, safe injection practices, and respiratory hygiene.

Airborne precautions requirements

Requires a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room with monitored air exchanges, plus a fit-tested N95 or higher respirator for anyone entering the room.

Droplet precautions application

Used for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets traveling short distances, such as influenza, pertussis, and meningococcal disease. Mask patient during transport.

PPE doffing order

Remove gloves first, then eye protection, then gown, then mask or respirator last. Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all personal protective equipment.

Hand hygiene product selection

Alcohol-based rub is preferred for routine decontamination. Soap and water are required when hands are visibly soiled and for spore-forming organisms such as Clostridioides difficile.

Hepatitis B needlestick prophylaxis

For an unvaccinated exposed worker, give hepatitis B immune globulin plus the vaccine series. For a documented vaccine responder, no post-exposure prophylaxis is generally needed.

Bloodborne pathogen transmission risk

Per needlestick exposure, hepatitis B carries the highest transmission risk, hepatitis C is intermediate, and HIV is lowest, though all require prompt evaluation.

N95 fit testing frequency

Fit testing is required annually and whenever facial changes such as weight change or new eyewear could affect the seal. A user seal check is done at each donning.

Healthcare worker immunity screening

Occupational health verifies immunity or vaccination for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B, documenting serology or vaccination history for each worker.

Outbreak reporting obligations

Report internally to leadership and infection prevention, and externally to public health authorities according to jurisdiction-specific notifiable disease lists and time frames.

PDSA improvement cycle

Plan-Do-Study-Act runs small tests of change, measures results after each cycle, and iterates. It supports rapid improvement in infection prevention processes.

Infection prevention performance indicators

Core metrics include hand hygiene compliance, device utilization ratios, standardized infection ratios, and process audit results, tracked over time against targets.

Root cause analysis purpose

A structured review of serious infection events or system failures that identifies contributing factors and assigns corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Measurable learning objectives

Objectives state observable behaviors learners must demonstrate, such as correctly performing PPE doffing, rather than vague internal states like understanding or appreciating.

Competency verification methods

Competency combines knowledge assessment with direct observation and return demonstration of the skill in practice, documented in the employee record.

Levels of evidence hierarchy

Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials rank highest for causal inference, followed by cohort and case-control studies, then case reports and expert opinion.

Internal versus external validity

Internal validity concerns whether the study correctly infers cause and effect. External validity concerns whether findings generalize to other populations and settings.

Airborne infection isolation room pressure

The room is kept at negative pressure relative to surrounding corridors, with monitored pressure differential and specified air exchanges per hour to contain airborne particles.

Construction infection control risk assessment

An ICRA classifies construction activity and patient risk, then specifies barriers, dust control, ventilation, and traffic routing to protect occupants during renovation.

Water system pathogen risk

Water systems can harbor Legionella and Pseudomonas. Management includes temperature control, flushing low-use fixtures, and monitoring, especially for immunocompromised patients.

Spaulding classification scheme

Critical items contacting sterile tissue require sterilization. Semicritical items contacting mucous membranes require high-level disinfection. Noncritical items contacting intact skin require low-level disinfection.

Biological indicator use

Spore-based biological indicators, such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam sterilization, verify that the sterilization process actually killed resistant microorganisms.

Cleaning before disinfection

Organic material and biofilm reduce biocide efficacy, so thorough cleaning must precede disinfection or sterilization for the process to be reliable.