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Health practice questions

14 questions from the pool operator (cpo) practice test.

Health practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

What this covers

Sample questions

Which germ is the leading cause of diarrheal illness outbreaks linked to treated pools?

  1. Legionella
  2. Cryptosporidium
  3. Pseudomonas
  4. Staphylococcus
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B. Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium ('Crypto') causes most pool-related diarrheal outbreaks because normal chlorine levels do not kill it quickly. Legionella and Pseudomonas cause respiratory and skin illness instead.

Reference: PHTA Pool & Spa Operator Handbook, recreational water illness chapter; CDC Healthy Swimming

Why can Cryptosporidium spread even in a well-run chlorinated pool?

  1. It multiplies rapidly in warm water with chlorine
  2. It is too small to be affected by any chemical disinfectant
  3. Its tough outer shell lets it survive chlorine for days
  4. It hides inside chloramines and avoids free chlorine
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C. Its tough outer shell lets it survive chlorine for days

The Crypto oocyst has a protective shell and can survive for days at normal free chlorine levels. It does not multiply in pool water; it is shed by infected swimmers.

Reference: PHTA Pool & Spa Operator Handbook, recreational water illness chapter; CDC Healthy Swimming

Which patron behavior does the most to prevent recreational water illness?

  1. Wearing goggles and ear plugs while swimming
  2. Staying out of the water when ill with diarrhea
  3. Swimming only at the deep end of the pool
  4. Waiting thirty minutes after eating to swim
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B. Staying out of the water when ill with diarrhea

Most outbreaks start with a swimmer who has diarrhea shedding germs into the water, so keeping ill swimmers out is the key step. Goggles protect eyes but do not stop germs spreading.

Reference: PHTA Pool & Spa Operator Handbook, recreational water illness chapter; CDC Healthy Swimming

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