Deck 35: Infection Control Practices

Question 1

The common health-associated infection seen in an outpatient setting, called MRSA, is caused by which type of bacteria?

A) Strep
B) Staph
C) Clostridium
D) CLABSI
E) CAUTI

Answer 1

Staph

Question 2

What is the proper placement order when multiple PPEs are needed for the protection of the healthcare worker?

A) Face mask, gloves, and gown
B) Gown, face mask, and gloves
C) Gown, gloves, and face mask
D) Face mask, gown, and gloves
E) Gloves, gown, and face mask

Answer 2

Gown, face mask, and gloves

Question 3

Influenza, measles, whooping cough, and meningitis are examples of infectious diseases that can be transmitted through which of the following?

A) Respiratory droplets
B) Casual touch
C) Blood borne
D) Sweat
E) Sexual contact

Answer 3

Respiratory droplets

Question 4

What is OSHA's estimate of approximately how many needlestick injuries occur each year?

A) 100,000
B) 300,000
C) 500,000
D) 700,000
E) 800,000

Question 5

A common health-associated infection seen in an outpatient setting that is caused by a specific type of staph bacterium and results in skin infections that can develop into large abscesses is _______.

A) strep
B) MRSA
C) Clostridium
D) CLABSI
E) CAUTI

Question 6

The goal of medical asepsis in the medical facility is to ____.

A) reduce the number of microorganisms in the medical environment after they leave the body
B) sterilize all surfaces daily to promote cleanliness
C) educate patients about their role in healthcare
D) prevent microorganisms from spreading through the office
E) keep organisms from entering the body

Question 7

Due to several large outbreaks of hepatitis B and C in outpatient settings, recommendations for safe injection practices were included as part of the Guideline for Isolation Precautions established by which of the following?

A) WHO
B) OSHA
C) CDC
D) AMA
E) HITECH

Question 8

Which type of infection is caused by the entry of infectious microorganisms into the bloodstream by way of a central line?

A) Strep
B) Staph
C) Clostridium
D) CLABSI
E) CAUTI

Question 9

A clean technique that is based on maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of microorganisms in the medical environment is known as which of the following?

A) Sanitation
B) Sterilization
C) Medical asepsis
D) Surgical asepsis
E) Disinfection

Question 10

Classifications of SSIs are dependent on the _______ and extent of the surgical wound.

A) depth
B) width
C) type
D) location
E) drainage

Question 11

Which of the following is a process that is required for all instruments that penetrate the skin or that come in contact with normally sterile areas of the tissues and internal organs?

A) Sterilization
B) Sanitization
C) Purification
D) Disinfection
E) Ultrasonic cleaning

Question 12

Which of the following equipment is categorized as a critical item?

A) Blood pressure cuff
B) Reflex hammer
C) Endoscope
D) Stethoscope
E) Surgical instrument

Question 13

Employers are required by law to supply _______ at no charge to their employees.

A) scrubs
B) study shoes
C) lab coats
D) personal protective equipment
E) insurance

Question 14

Which of the following is a physical aspect of the medical office that contributes to asepsis?

A) A dimly lit office with a temperature of 82°F
B) A sign that eating and drinking are permitted in the waiting room only
C) Designating a section of the reception room for sick patients
D) Allowing the trash cans to become full before emptying
E) Providing pens for patients to sign in so they don't use their own

Question 15

The CDC recommends that catheters be used for the least possible amount of time due to which type of infection?

A) Strep
B) Staph
C) Clostridium
D) CLABSI
E) CAUTI

Question 16

Which of the following equipment is categorized as a semi-critical item?

A) Blood pressure cuff
B) Reflex hammer
C) Endoscope
D) Stethoscope
E) Surgical instrument

Question 17

If a patient is coughing uncontrollably and there is considerable spray, what PPE should the medical assistant put on before entering the examination room?

A) Gloves and mask
B) Mask and goggles
C) Gloves, gown, and goggles
D) Gown, mask, and face shield
E) Gloves, mask, and face shield

Question 18

Approximately what percent of patients will develop an infection at the surgical site?

A) 2%
B) 3%
C) 4%
D) 5%
E) 6%

Question 19

What is the most common microorganism associated with a surgical site infection?

A) Streptococcus
B) Staphylococcus
C) Clostridium
D) CLABSI
E) CAUTI

Question 20

The goal of surgical asepsis in the medical facility is to ____.

A) reduce the number of microorganisms in the office
B) clean all surfaces daily to promote cleanliness
C) educate patients about their role in healthcare
D) prevent microorganisms from spreading through the office
E) keep organisms from entering the body

Question 21

Part of the medical assistant's responsibility is to run the autoclave to sterilize instruments, and once a week the MA should include a biological sterilization indicator with a load as a general quality control measure. Today, she notices that the biological indicator from yesterday's load is positive. What does a positive result mean?

A) The proper temperature was not reached
B) The pressure in the autoclave was not high enough
C) There was not enough steam in the autoclave
D) The water reservoir on the autoclave is running low
E) The items in that load are not sterile

Question 22

Which of the following is an important step for the medical assistant to remember when running a load through the autoclave?

A) If the load contains both wrapped packs and individual instruments, place the instruments above the wrapped packs.
B) After the steam cycle and before the drying cycle, open the door to the autoclave 1 inch.
C) Do not unload any packs or instruments with wet wrappings.
D) Place each item immediately in a cold location when unloading.
E) Do not touch the outside of the wrapped packs.

Question 23

Most autoclaves must reach a certain temperature and pressure to complete the sterilization process. If the temperature must reach 250° to 270°Fahrenheit, what must the pressure range be?

A) 15 to 30 pounds of pressure
B) 20 to 35 pounds of pressure
C) 10 to 20 pounds of pressure
D) 25 to 40 pounds of pressure
E) 30 to 45 pounds of pressure

Question 24

When wrapping items for sterilization, what information must be on the label of the pack?

A) Date and time
B) Date and contents of pack
C) Date, time, and contents of pack
D) Date, your initials, and contents of pack
E) Date, time, and your initials

Question 25

As a general rule, double-layer fabric or paper-wrapped sterile packages have a maximum shelf life of ____.

A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 1 year
E) 2 years

Question 26

Any gear worn by a healthcare worker that guards against physical hazards is called ___ ____ ___ (PPE).

Question 27

Which of the following is a leading factor that would cause an incomplete sterilization of an autoclaved load?

A) Temperature of 250° to 270°F
B) 15 to 30 pounds of pressure in the chamber
C) Steam temperature of 212°F
D) Allowing the autoclave to cool before emptying
E) Too short a time period

Question 28

Which of the following instruments and equipment must be sterilized before use?

A) Vaginal specula and curettes
B) Stethoscopes and tuning forks
C) Endotracheal tubes
D) Nasal specula
E) Blood pressure cuffs

Question 29

In general, what is the temperature range in degrees Fahrenheit that the autoclave must reach in order to sterilize a load of instruments?

A) 120°-140°
B) 160°-180°
C) 220°-240°
D) 250°-270°
E) 280°-300°

Question 30

When wrapping instruments for sterilization, what is the first step that should be taken?

A) Place instruments in the center of the wrap
B) Wash hands and don gloves
C) Select type and size of wrapper
D) Place an indicator in center of wrap
E) Open all hinged instruments

Question 31

Which of the following is a correct step in cleaning and preheating an autoclave?

A) Fill the water reservoir with tap water
B) Check the discharge lines and valves for obstruction
C) Overheat the chamber to warm it
D) Clean the autoclave after several uses
E) Load cold instruments into an overheated chamber

Question 32

Which of the following is the appropriate way to wrap instruments for sterilization?

A) Placing all instruments together with surfaces touching
B) Use only double-thickness muslin to wrap instruments
C) Place all hinged instruments in the closed position
D) Wrap each instrument in the fabric as loosely as possible
E) Use plastic tape to close the pack

Question 33

What is the proper way to wrap hinged instruments?

A) Placed in the open position
B) Wrapped in gauze
C) Placed in a pile one on top of the other
D) Single wrapped
E) Using porous paper only

Question 34

In which method of sterilization does moisture cause coagulation of proteins within microorganisms at a much lower temperature than is possible with dry heat?

A) Microwave processing
B) Gas processing
C) Autoclaving
D) Chemical processing
E) Ultrasonic processing

Question 35

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using muslin to wrap instruments for sterilization?

A) It is more susceptible to contamination
B) It is hard to handle
C) It is too bulky
D) It stays wet too long
E) It comes unwrapped more easily

Question 36

Which of these diseases is reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System as required by the CDC?

A) Chickenpox
B) Yeast infection
C) Stomach ulcer
D) Rubella
E) Endometriosis

Question 37

The primary method for sterilizing instruments in the medical office is ____.

A) chemical process
B) autoclaving
C) gas process
D) dry heat process
E) soaking in bleach

Question 38

Which of the following would cause the autoclave load to not sterilize properly?

A) Steam temperature of 212°F or 100°C
B) Wrapping the instruments in muslin
C) Air trapped inside the chamber because of blocked discharge lines
D) Placing hinged instruments in the open position
E) Refilling the reservoir with distilled water before operating

Question 39

A clean technique that is based on maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of microorganisms in the medical environment is known as ______ ______.

Question 40

Which of the following is a necessary step for the medical assistant to take when sterilizing instruments using an autoclave?

A) Placing the instruments in the closed position
B) Preheating the instruments before placing them in the unit
C) Using distilled water in the unit
D) Taking each instrument out of the unit by hand
E) Drying the instruments with a towel after sterilization

Question 41

When wrapping items to sterilize in an autoclave, all hinged instruments should be placed in the ____ position.

Question 42

An infection acquired by a patient in a healthcare facility is known as a(n) ________ infection.

Question 43

Most surgical site infections are _______, which means they are caused by microorganisms found on the skin or in the body of the patient.

Question 44

The SSI classification that involves tissues such as fascia and muscle is called _____ _____.

Question 45

The medical assistant can help the patient avoid infections before and after surgery by giving her ______ instructions about what she should do before and after the surgical procedure.

Question 46

According to the _______ _______ Organization (WHO), a safe injection does not cause injury to the patient, expose the provider to an avoidable risk, or create dangerous environmental waste.

Question 47

The SSI classification that involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissues is called ________ incisional.

Question 48

All packs wrapped with muslin must be _______ wrapped.

Question 49

A catheter placed in a large vein, usually the neck, chest, or groin, that is used to administer fluids or medications is a(n) ________.

Question 50

Self-sheathing needles, retractable needles, and self-blunting needles are examples of __________ devices.

Question 51

Injection, phlebotomy, and winged steel needles are available with _____ _____ features that will keep the user's hands behind the needle tip.

Question 52

Surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected patient should be thoroughly cleaned using an EPA-approved disinfectant of 1:10 ______ solution.

Question 53

The simple and effective commonsense approach to defending yourself and others against infectious agents spread by respiratory droplets such as a cough or sneeze is called respiratory _____/_____ ______.

Question 54

An item that enters sterile tissue, body cavities, veins, and arteries and must be sterilized prior to use is categorized as a(n) _______ item.

Question 55

Equipment that only comes in contact with intact skin and requires low-level disinfection is categorized as a(n) ________ item.

Question 56

Instruments that are wrapped together as a sterile pack should be wrapped _______ so that the steam can reach the instruments inside.

Question 57

Microorganisms brought into the surgical site by medical instruments or equipment are called ________.

Question 58

Needlestick injuries are completely preventable if the medical assistant follows OSHA and _____ guidelines.

Question 59

Any procedure that requires entry into a body cavity or cutting into skin or mucous membranes is called a(n) ________ procedure.

Question 60

Equipment that comes in contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin and requires high-level disinfection is categorized as a(n) ____ item.

Question 61

Which of the following is necessary when sterilizing items using an autoclave?

A) Placing the instruments in the closed position
B) Preheating the instruments before placing them in the unit
C) Using distilled water in the unit
D) Taking each instrument out of the unit by hand
E) Drying the instruments with a towel after sterilization

Question 62

If the autoclave does not reach the proper temperature or the temperature is too low, the steam will contain too much ________ and the drying cycle will be insufficient.

Question 63

A special strip or tag that confirms that the items in an autoclave have been exposed to the correct volume of steam at the correct temperature for the correct length of time is a sterilization ________.

Question 64

Prepare sanitized and disinfected instruments and equipment for loading into the ________ by wrapping them in muslin, special porous paper, plastic bags, or envelopes and labeling each pack.

Question 65

The ________ process is required for all instruments or supplies that will penetrate a patient's skin or come in contact with any other normally sterile areas of the body.

Question 66

An endoscope must be sterilized using chemical or _____ sterilization, which uses liquids to eliminate microorganisms.

Question 67

Which instruments and equipment must be sterilized?

A) Vaginal specula and curettes
B) Stethoscopes and tuning forks
C) Endotracheal tubes
D) Nasal specula
E) Blood pressure cuffs

Question 68

Timing for items to be sterilized in an autoclave should not be started until the unit has reached the proper _____.

Question 69

The cleaning process that is required for all instruments that penetrate the skin or that come in contact with normally sterile areas of the tissues and internal organs is ____.

A) sterilization
B) sanitization
C) purification
D) disinfection
E) ultrasonic cleaning

Question 70

The primary method for sterilizing instruments is ____.

A) chemical processes
B) autoclaving
C) gas processes
D) dry heat processes
E) washing with bleach

Question 71

When reporting a _________ disease, you must fill out the correct form and disease identification number from the health department.

Question 72

_________ or cold sterilization is used on instruments and equipment that are sensitive to heat.

Question 73

Posters published by the ______ should be placed in patient reception areas as a reminder to use tissues and cover coughs to reduce the spread of infectious agents.

Question 74

In which of the following methods of sterilization does moisture cause coagulation of proteins within microorganisms at a much lower temperature than is possible with dry heat?

A) Microwave processing
B) Gas processing
C) Autoclaving
D) Chemical processing
E) Ultrasonic processing

Question 75

The goal of _____ ______ is to keep organisms from entering the body.

Question 76

The SSI classification that includes organs and cavities but excludes skin, fascia, and muscle is called___/_____.

Question 77

Medical asepsis in the medical office includes keeping the room temperature at approximately ___ Fahrenheit.

Question 78

The four leading factors that cause incomplete sterilization include incorrect timing, insufficient temperature, overcrowding of packs, and ___________.

Question 79

Adherence to ____ guidelines, careful sterile technique during office procedures, and comprehensive patient education are keys to preventing SSIs in the medical office.

Question 80

The primary method for sterilizing instruments and equipment in the medical office is a(n) ______, which is a device that forces the temperature of steam above the boiling point of water.