Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CIC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Transient flora consists of microorganisms that are temporarily present on the skin and can be easily removed through handwashing. These microorganisms often come from external sources, such as the environment or other individuals, and do not typically reside permanently on the skin. During handwashing, mechanical action and the use of soap effectively remove these transient organisms, reducing the risk of infection.

In contrast, resident flora are more permanent inhabitants of the skin and provide a protective barrier against pathogens but are not easily displaced through routine handwashing. Pathogenic flora refer specifically to organisms that can cause disease, and while they may be transient or resident, their removal is not guaranteed by handwashing unless done meticulously. Colonizing flora tend to establish themselves in a particular area of the body and may not be easily removed as transient flora are.

Understanding these distinctions underlines the importance of thorough handwashing, especially in infection prevention and control practices, to effectively reduce the presence of transient bacteria that can lead to infections.