Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

The presence of preexisting diseases can significantly impact an individual's risk of infection due to various mechanisms. When a person has a preexisting condition, such as diabetes, asthma, or autoimmune disorders, their immune system may be compromised or less effective at fighting off pathogens. For instance, diabetes can impair the body's ability to heal and fight infections, and conditions that modify immune responses, like rheumatoid arthritis, can diminish the overall defense against infectious agents.

Moreover, preexisting diseases can create a favorable environment for infections. They might lead to factors such as altered skin integrity, enhancement of pathogen proliferation, or increased colonization by opportunistic organisms. Additionally, the treatment regimens for these diseases, which often include immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, can further increase the susceptibility to infections.

In contrast, options such as the presence of hand hygiene stations, duration of invasive procedures, and the number of exams by healthcare providers play roles in infection control and prevention but do not inherently change the anatomical or physiological characteristics of an individual’s body that predispose them to infections. These factors revolve more around the environment and practices in healthcare settings rather than the intrinsic health status of the patient itself.