ACCS ACCS Infection Control and Sepsis Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, what is the recommended time window to initiate broad-spectrum antibiotics after sepsis recognition?
- Within 30 minutes
- Within 1 hour (Correct answer)
- Within 3 hours
- Within 6 hours
Correct answer: Within 1 hour
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour of sepsis recognition to reduce mortality.
Question 2: Which of the following is the most reliable early biomarker for sepsis and systemic infection in the ICU?
- White blood cell count
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Procalcitonin (PCT) (Correct answer)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Correct answer: Procalcitonin (PCT)
Procalcitonin rises rapidly and specifically in bacterial infections, making it the most reliable early biomarker for sepsis.
Question 3: A patient meets Sepsis-3 criteria. Which intervention is the first priority after obtaining blood cultures?
- Order a CT scan of the chest and abdomen
- Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics (Correct answer)
- Place a central venous catheter
- Start vasopressin infusion
Correct answer: Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
After blood cultures, immediate broad-spectrum antibiotic administration is the highest priority to reduce sepsis mortality.
Question 4: Which organism is the most common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in US ICUs?
- Staphylococcus aureus (Correct answer)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Escherichia coli
- Candida albicans
Correct answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, is the leading cause of VAP in US ICUs, especially in patients ventilated beyond 4 days.
Question 5: Which bundle element has the strongest evidence for preventing catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)?
- Daily chest X-ray to confirm line position
- Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis during insertion (Correct answer)
- Weekly line rotation to new sites
- Routine antibiotic flush of lines
Correct answer: Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis during insertion
Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis during CVC insertion is the most evidence-based intervention for CLABSI prevention.
Question 6: What is the initial fluid resuscitation recommendation for adults with septic shock in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign?
- 250 mL crystalloid bolus and reassess
- At least 30 mL/kg IV crystalloid within the first 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 20 mL/kg colloid within the first hour
- Fluid restricted to 1 L in the first 6 hours
Correct answer: At least 30 mL/kg IV crystalloid within the first 3 hours
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends at least 30 mL/kg of IV crystalloid within the first 3 hours for septic shock.
ACCS ACCS Infection Control and Sepsis Management 1
According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, what is the recommended time window to initiate broad-spectrum antibiotics after sepsis recognition?