CCMA Infection Control Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Hard

   Which item from an exam room must be discarded as regulated biohazardous waste in a red bag?

   1. AA. Gauze saturated with blood that would release blood if squeezed
   2. BB. An adhesive bandage with a small dot of dried blood
   3. CC. Paper table covering that touched only intact skin
   4. DD. Used gloves with no visible blood
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: A. Gauze saturated with blood that would release blood if squeezed

   Under OSHA, regulated waste includes items caked with blood or so saturated that they would release blood or other infectious material if compressed. Such items go in a labeled red biohazard bag.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • BA small amount of dried blood that cannot be released is not regulated waste under OSHA, though state rules may be stricter.
   • CPaper that touched only intact skin is regular waste.
   • DGloves without blood or infectious material are regular waste unless state or facility rules differ.

2. Question 2 of 25Easy

   Which principle forms the foundation of standard precautions in an ambulatory care setting?

   1. AA. Only patients diagnosed with known bloodborne infections require protective barriers.
   2. BB. All blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as potentially infectious.
   3. CC. Personal protective equipment is necessary only during invasive surgical procedures.
   4. DD. Transmission-based precautions replace standard precautions when treating pediatric patients.
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: B. All blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as potentially infectious.

   Standard precautions are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may transmit infectious agents. Universal precautions originally focused specifically on blood and certain body fluids, but standard precautions expand this protection to all patients regardless of perceived infection status. The concept that only patients with known diagnoses require barriers is incorrect because many infectious individuals are asymptomatic.

3. Question 3 of 25Hard

   A clinic switches to syringes with a needle that retracts automatically after an injection. Under OSHA, what type of control is this?

   1. AA. Work practice control
   2. BB. Personal protective equipment
   3. CC. Administrative policy
   4. DD. Engineering control
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: D. Engineering control

   Engineering controls isolate or remove the hazard through devices such as sharps containers and safety-engineered needles. They protect workers without depending on how a task is performed.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AWork practice controls change how a task is done, such as banning two-handed recapping.
   • BPPE, such as gloves and gowns, places a barrier between the worker and the hazard rather than removing it.
   • CAdministrative policies set rules and schedules; a safety feature built into the syringe is an engineering control.

4. Question 4 of 25Medium

   In a healthy individual, which anatomical fluid or site is sterile and expected to be free of all microorganisms?

   1. AA. Epidermal surface
   2. BB. Cerebrospinal fluid
   3. CC. Oral cavity
   4. DD. Distal urethra
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: B. Cerebrospinal fluid

   Cerebrospinal fluid is contained within a sterile, closed compartment and normally harbors no microorganisms. Body surfaces and passages directly exposed to the external environment, such as the skin, oral cavity, and distal urethra, normally support thriving populations of resident flora.

5. Question 5 of 25Medium

   Which technique correctly removes contaminated gloves?

   1. AA. Pull off both gloves at once by tugging on the fingertips
   2. BB. Peel off one glove by the outside of its cuff, then slide bare fingers inside the other cuff
   3. CC. Remove the first glove by grabbing the inside of its cuff with gloved fingers
   4. DD. Rinse the gloves under water, then pull them off by the fingertips
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: B. Peel off one glove by the outside of its cuff, then slide bare fingers inside the other cuff

   In the glove-to-glove, skin-to-skin method, the first glove is peeled off by its outer cuff and held in the gloved hand, and bare fingers slide inside the second cuff to peel it off over the first.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • ATugging the fingertips can snap gloves and spray contaminants, and it is hard to avoid touching the outside.
   • CGloved fingers inside the cuff contaminate the inner surface, which should touch only clean skin.
   • DRinsing gloves spreads contamination and does not make removal safer.

6. Question 6 of 25Medium

   A provider is irrigating a deep wound, and splashing is likely. Which PPE should the assisting medical assistant wear?

   1. AA. Gloves only
   2. BB. Gloves and a gown
   3. CC. Gloves, gown, mask and eye protection
   4. DD. A mask only
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: C. Gloves, gown, mask and eye protection

   Under standard precautions, procedures likely to splash blood or body fluids call for gloves and a gown plus a mask and eye protection to cover the mucous membranes of the face.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AGloves alone leave the clothing, skin and face unprotected from splashes.
   • BA gown and gloves do not protect the eyes, nose and mouth.
   • DA mask alone leaves the hands, clothing and eyes exposed.

7. Question 7 of 25Easy

   A standard gravity steam autoclave cycle uses about 15 pounds per square inch of pressure. What temperature does it typically reach?

   1. AA. 212 F (100 C)
   2. BB. 250 F (121 C)
   3. CC. 300 F (149 C)
   4. DD. 180 F (82 C)
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: B. 250 F (121 C)

   Steam under about 15 psi of pressure reaches about 250 F (121 C), hot enough to kill all microorganisms, including spores, with adequate exposure time.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • A212 F is the boiling point of water at normal pressure, which does not reliably kill spores.
   • C300 F is hotter than a standard gravity steam cycle; dry heat sterilizers use temperatures in that range or higher.
   • D180 F is far below the temperature needed for steam sterilization.

8. Question 8 of 25Hard

   A 3-year-old with fever, cough, red eyes and a spreading rash arrives, and the provider suspects measles. What should the medical assistant do first?

   1. AA. Seat the child and parent in the waiting room until a room opens
   2. BB. Place the child in a shared room with another sick patient
   3. CC. Mask the child if tolerated and move them to a private room with the door closed
   4. DD. Send the family home and ask them to call back later
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: C. Mask the child if tolerated and move them to a private room with the door closed

   Measles is highly contagious through the air. The child should be masked if tolerated and placed in an airborne infection isolation room or a private room with the door closed, and only immune staff should enter.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AWaiting in a shared space exposes other patients, some of whom may be infants or immunocompromised.
   • BA shared room exposes another patient to a highly contagious airborne disease.
   • DSending the child away without evaluation is unsafe and does not follow the provider's plan.

9. Question 9 of 25Medium

   A 70-year-old man has a fresh skin tear on his forearm. In the chain of infection, what does this break in the skin represent?

   1. AA. Portal of entry
   2. BB. Reservoir
   3. CC. Infectious agent
   4. DD. Mode of transmission
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: A. Portal of entry

   A portal of entry is the route by which a pathogen enters a new host. Breaks in the skin, mucous membranes and the respiratory tract are common portals of entry.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • BA reservoir is where a pathogen lives and multiplies, not an opening into the body.
   • CThe infectious agent is the pathogen itself, such as a bacterium or virus.
   • DThe mode of transmission is how a pathogen travels, such as on hands or through the air.

10. Question 10 of 25Medium

    A medical assistant is opening a wrapped sterile pack on a tray. Which flap should be opened first?

    1. AA. The flap closest to her body
    2. BB. The right side flap
    3. CC. The left side flap
    4. DD. The flap farthest away from her
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: D. The flap farthest away from her

    Opening the far flap first, then the side flaps and finally the near flap, means she never reaches across the exposed sterile contents.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AOpening the nearest flap first forces her to reach over the sterile contents to open the others.
    • BSide flaps are opened after the far flap; starting with one means later reaching over exposed contents.
    • CStarting with a side flap means the far flap must later be opened by reaching over the exposed contents.

11. Question 11 of 25Easy

    Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, how must containers of regulated waste and refrigerators that store blood be labeled?

    1. AA. With a red cross on a white background label
    2. BB. With the biohazard symbol on an orange or orange-red label
    3. CC. With a yellow and black radiation symbol
    4. DD. With a handwritten note that says used
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: B. With the biohazard symbol on an orange or orange-red label

    OSHA requires warning labels that are fluorescent orange or orange-red with the biohazard symbol in a contrasting color. Red bags or red containers may be used in place of labels.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AA red cross is a medical or first aid symbol, not the required biohazard warning.
    • CThe radiation symbol warns of radioactive materials, not biological hazards.
    • DHandwritten notes do not meet OSHA labeling requirements.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    A 6-year-old with suspected influenza is being roomed. Which transmission-based precautions apply in addition to standard precautions?

    1. AA. Contact precautions
    2. BB. Airborne precautions
    3. CC. Droplet precautions
    4. DD. No added precautions
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: C. Droplet precautions

    Influenza spreads mainly through respiratory droplets over short distances, so droplet precautions, including a facemask for staff in close contact, are used.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AContact precautions are for organisms spread by touch, such as C. difficile or MRSA.
    • BAirborne precautions are for diseases spread by tiny particles over long distances, such as measles and tuberculosis.
    • DStandard precautions alone do not address droplet spread from a suspected respiratory infection.

13. Question 13 of 25Medium

    A clinic uses event-related sterility for its wrapped instrument packs. When is a pack considered no longer sterile?

    1. AA. Exactly 30 days after sterilization
    2. BB. After 6 months on the shelf
    3. CC. When the indicator tape fades
    4. DD. When the wrapper is torn, wet or opened
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: D. When the wrapper is torn, wet or opened

    With event-related sterility, a pack stays sterile until an event, such as a tear, moisture or opening, compromises it. Packs are still dated and rotated.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AA fixed 30-day limit is a time-related policy, not event-related sterility.
    • BTime on the shelf alone does not determine sterility under an event-related policy.
    • CIndicator tape shows exposure to the process; fading does not decide whether the pack remains sterile.

14. Question 14 of 25Medium

    A patient with a draining wound infected with MRSA is seen in the clinic. Which PPE do contact precautions call for when the medical assistant touches the patient or room surfaces?

    1. AA. Gown and gloves
    2. BB. N95 respirator only
    3. CC. Surgical mask only
    4. DD. Goggles only
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: A. Gown and gloves

    Contact precautions require a gown and gloves for contact with the patient or the environment, because MRSA spreads by direct and indirect contact.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BAn N95 respirator is for airborne diseases and does not protect against contact spread.
    • CA surgical mask protects against droplets, not contact with a contaminated wound or surfaces.
    • DGoggles protect the eyes from splashes but do not prevent contact spread to hands and clothing.

15. Question 15 of 25Medium

    A newly hired medical assistant will have occupational exposure to blood. Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, what must the employer do about hepatitis B vaccination?

    1. AA. Offer the vaccine at no cost within 10 working days of her assignment
    2. BB. Require her to pay for the vaccine series herself before starting work
    3. CC. Offer the vaccine only after an exposure occurs
    4. DD. Offer the vaccine after 1 year of employment
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: A. Offer the vaccine at no cost within 10 working days of her assignment

    OSHA requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine series at no cost within 10 working days of initial assignment. An employee who declines signs a declination form and can still get it later.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BThe vaccine must be provided at no cost to the employee.
    • CThe vaccine must be offered before any exposure, not only afterward.
    • DWaiting a year leaves the employee unprotected; the deadline is 10 working days after assignment.

16. Question 16 of 25Easy

    A medical assistant splashes a cleaning chemical on her arm and wants to know the recommended first aid. Where should she look?

    1. AA. The office's exposure control plan
    2. BB. The patient's medical record
    3. CC. The OSHA 300 injury log
    4. DD. The product's Safety Data Sheet
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: D. The product's Safety Data Sheet

    Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, each hazardous chemical has a Safety Data Sheet listing its hazards, protective measures and first aid. Safety Data Sheets must be readily accessible to employees.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AThe exposure control plan addresses bloodborne pathogens, not chemical first aid.
    • BPatient records do not contain information about workplace chemicals.
    • CThe OSHA 300 log records workplace injuries after they occur and gives no first aid instructions.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    Which disease requires airborne precautions, including an N95 or higher-level respirator and an airborne infection isolation room?

    1. AA. Influenza
    2. BB. MRSA wound infection
    3. CC. Pertussis
    4. DD. Measles
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: D. Measles

    Measles spreads through tiny airborne particles that stay suspended and travel on air currents, so it requires airborne precautions, as do tuberculosis and chickenpox.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AInfluenza spreads mainly by respiratory droplets and calls for droplet precautions.
    • BMRSA spreads by contact with the wound or contaminated items, so contact precautions apply.
    • CPertussis spreads by respiratory droplets and calls for droplet precautions.

18. Question 18 of 25Hard

    During routine medical handwashing at a sink, how should a medical assistant hold her hands while rinsing?

    1. AA. Fingertips pointing up, higher than the elbows
    2. BB. Fingertips pointing down, lower than the elbows
    3. CC. Hands held flat, level with the elbows
    4. DD. One hand pointing up and the other pointing down
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: B. Fingertips pointing down, lower than the elbows

    In medical asepsis, hands are held lower than the elbows so dirty water runs off the fingertips into the sink instead of up the arms.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AHolding the hands above the elbows is used for a surgical scrub, where the hands must stay the cleanest part.
    • CHolding the hands level does not direct water away from the forearms.
    • DHolding the hands differently lets water run back up one arm.

19. Question 19 of 25Easy

    A medical assistant wearing gloves finishes taking a blood pressure on a patient with a skin rash and needs to assist the next patient. What should she do with the gloves?

    1. AA. Wash the gloved hands with soap and water and keep them on
    2. BB. Wipe the gloves with alcohol and reuse them
    3. CC. Keep them on until the end of the shift
    4. DD. Discard them, perform hand hygiene and use a new pair
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: D. Discard them, perform hand hygiene and use a new pair

    Gloves are single use. They are removed after each patient, hands are cleaned, and fresh gloves are put on for the next patient if needed.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AWashing gloves damages them and does not make them safe to reuse.
    • BWiping gloves with alcohol can weaken them and does not make them safe for another patient.
    • CWearing the same gloves for several patients spreads microorganisms between them.

20. Question 20 of 25Easy

    What is the main difference between medical asepsis and surgical asepsis?

    1. AA. Medical asepsis reduces microorganisms; surgical asepsis eliminates all of them
    2. BB. Medical asepsis is used only in hospitals, and surgical asepsis only in clinics
    3. CC. Medical asepsis kills spores; surgical asepsis does not
    4. DD. There is no difference; the two terms mean the same thing
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: A. Medical asepsis reduces microorganisms; surgical asepsis eliminates all of them

    Medical asepsis, or clean technique, reduces the number and spread of microorganisms. Surgical asepsis, or sterile technique, keeps an area free of all microorganisms, including spores.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BBoth types of asepsis are used in every health care setting.
    • CThis reverses the terms; sterile technique keeps an area free of spores, while clean technique does not.
    • DThe terms differ: clean technique reduces microbes, while sterile technique excludes all of them.

21. Question 21 of 25Hard

    At the end of an autoclave cycle, the medical assistant finds that several wrapped packs are still damp. What should she do?

    1. AA. Store them as usual, since they went through the full cycle
    2. BB. Dry them with a towel and put them on the shelf
    3. CC. Consider them contaminated and reprocess them
    4. DD. Place them under a heat lamp until dry, then use them
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: C. Consider them contaminated and reprocess them

    Moisture can wick microorganisms through the wrap, so packs that are wet when removed are considered contaminated and must be repackaged and sterilized again.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • ACompleting the cycle does not protect a wet pack from contamination.
    • BToweling a wet pack does not make it sterile and adds contamination.
    • DDrying a wet pack after removal does not restore its sterility.

22. Question 22 of 25Medium

    Which action should a medical assistant take when preparing a filled biohazard bag for final collection and disposal?

    1. AA. Fasten the opening securely using heavy metal staples
    2. BB. Manually press the bag to expel trapped air before sealing
    3. CC. Twist and knot or securely tape the bag opening closed
    4. DD. Tie the handles loosely to permit internal air ventilation
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: C. Twist and knot or securely tape the bag opening closed

    Biohazard bags must be sealed by twisting and taping or knotting to ensure a secure, leak-proof closure during handling and transport. Compressing the bag to expel air can aerosolize infectious pathogens, and using staples creates punctures that compromise the containment barrier.

23. Question 23 of 25Hard

    A clinical medical assistant is completing care in the airborne infection isolation room of a patient with varicella. At which point should the assistant remove the N95 respirator?

    1. AA. After exiting the room and closing the isolation door
    2. BB. At the bedside before untying the protective gown
    3. CC. Immediately before taking off contaminated gloves inside the room
    4. DD. In the hallway after walking to the central utility station
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: A. After exiting the room and closing the isolation door

    The N95 respirator must be kept on until the worker has completely exited the airborne isolation room and closed the door, ensuring no suspended infectious droplet nuclei are inhaled. Removing the respirator inside the patient room exposes the healthcare worker to lingering airborne particles before leaving the contaminated environment.

24. Question 24 of 25Easy

    According to CDC guidance, for how long should hands be rubbed together with soap during routine handwashing?

    1. AA. At least 5 seconds
    2. BB. At least 10 seconds
    3. CC. At least 20 seconds
    4. DD. At least 2 minutes
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: C. At least 20 seconds

    CDC recommends scrubbing all surfaces of the hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AFive seconds is too short to remove microorganisms from all surfaces of the hands.
    • BTen seconds is shorter than the recommended scrubbing time.
    • DTwo minutes or more resembles a surgical scrub and is not needed for routine handwashing.

25. Question 25 of 25Hard

    A medical assistant sprays an EPA-registered disinfectant on an exam table between patients. The label lists a 3-minute wet contact time. What should she do?

    1. AA. Wipe the table dry right away to prepare for the next patient
    2. BB. Spray again after 1 minute, then wipe the table dry
    3. CC. Rinse the table with water after 30 seconds
    4. DD. Let the surface stay visibly wet for 3 minutes before wiping
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: D. Let the surface stay visibly wet for 3 minutes before wiping

    Disinfectants work only if the surface stays wet for the full contact time on the label. Wiping it off or letting it dry early can leave microorganisms alive.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AWiping right away removes the disinfectant before it has killed the microorganisms.
    • BRespraying at 1 minute and then wiping dry still ends contact before the labeled time.
    • CRinsing after 30 seconds removes the product far too early.

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