NIC National Barber Theory Exam — Practice Exam
Infection control: practice questions
Our NIC Barber Theory bank has 40 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Rod-shaped bacteria are called:
- Diplococci
- Spirilla
- Cocci
- Bacilli
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D. Bacilli — Bacilli are rod-shaped and cause diseases such as tetanus and tuberculosis.
Question 2
After a blood exposure, what should be done with tools that touched blood?
- Rinse them with running water only, then let them air dry on a clean towel
- Clean and disinfect them with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant
- Put them back in the clean drawer once the client has gone
- Wipe them with a dry towel and keep using them
Show the answer
B. Clean and disinfect them with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant — Contaminated tools must be cleaned and disinfected before reuse.
Question 3
Which level of infection control destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores?
- Disinfection
- Sanitation (cleaning)
- Sterilization
- Antisepsis with alcohol-based hand rub
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C. Sterilization — Sterilization (autoclave or dry heat) kills all forms of microbial life, including spores; disinfection does not kill spores.
Question 4
How should implements be placed in a liquid disinfectant?
- Fully immersed
- Dipped tips only
- Laid on a towel
- Sprayed lightly
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A. Fully immersed — Total immersion is required so every surface contacts the disinfectant.
Question 5
What is MRSA?
- A virus spread mainly through hair dye
- A fungus that grows on and under the nails of the hands and feet
- A staph bacterium resistant to many common antibiotics
- A type of head lice
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C. A staph bacterium resistant to many common antibiotics — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus can spread through broken skin and shared items.