2. Safety & Infection Control — Microbiology & Decontamination (21%)

Infection control isn't a list of rules to memorize — it's a system designed around a single goal: prevent disease-causing organisms from moving from one surface or person to another. Once you understand that goal and how microorganisms actually spread, the procedures become logical rather than arbitrary.

This phase covers the microbiology foundation and the three-level decontamination system. Phase 3 covers workplace safety and federal regulations. Together they account for 30 questions — 40% of your entire exam.

⚠️ Common Misconception: Many students treat infection control as the "easy" domain because the rules seem obvious. But the exam specifically tests the distinctions — between disinfection and sterilization, between single-use and multi-use, between cleaning and disinfecting. Vague understanding will not get you through these questions.