Deck 20: Principles and Techniques of Disinfection

Question 1

Recommendations for mixing solutions of detergents or disinfectants include:

A)making a fresh cleaning solution only when the current batch is completely used.
B)making fresh cleaning solution each day and discarding any unused solution at the end of the treatment day.
C)cleaning surfaces with a mist or aerosol to provide maximum coverage.
D)preventing the container from drying, which causes brittleness.

Answer 1

making fresh cleaning solution each day and discarding any unused solution at the end of the treatment day.

Question 2

The purpose of precleaning a surface is:

A)to reduce the number of microbes.
B)to remove accumulated blood, saliva, and other body fluids.
C)do both a and b
D)none of the above; precleaning is not necessary when a surface is to be disinfected.

Answer 2

do both a and b

Question 3

Housekeeping surfaces:

A)include floors and walls, but not sinks, because they are considered a clinical contact surface.
B)pose a risk for disease transmission in the dental healthcare setting.
C)must be cleaned with a high-level disinfectant/sterilant.
D)need to be cleaned with only a detergent or low-level disinfectant.

Answer 3

need to be cleaned with only a detergent or low-level disinfectant.

Question 4

Precleaning can be accomplished using:

A)a disinfectant that cleans and disinfects.
B)regular soap and water.
C)alcohol and gauze.
D)both a and b

Question 5

Precautions when using glutaraldehyde include:

A)avoid inhaling the fumes.
B)always rinse instruments thoroughly prior to any intraoral use.
C)wear PPE to protect the eyes, skin, and lungs.
D)all of the above.

Question 6

Disinfectants used in dentistry must be:

A)registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
B)registered as hospital disinfectants with tuberculocidal claims.
C)able to kill all spores.
D)both a and b

Question 7

Chemicals that destroy or inactivate most species of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces are called:

A)disinfectants.
B)sterilants.
C)antiseptics.
D)both a and c

Question 8

For sterilization to occur using an immersion disinfectant,items must be immersed for a minimum of _____ hours.

A)2
B)6
C)12
D)24

Question 9

The appropriate disinfection protocol to follow when a surface has been covered with a barrier is:

A)none. It does not have to be cleaned or disinfected.
B)clean and disinfect the surface at the beginning of the workday.
C)clean and disinfect the surface at the end of the workday.
D)clean and disinfect the surface at the beginning and end of each workday.

Question 10

The method used to decontaminate a surface in a dental treatment area is:

A)use of a surface barrier to prevent the surface from becoming contaminated.
B)precleaning and disinfecting the surface between patients.
C)wiping the surface with alcohol.
D)both a and b

Question 11

Which of the following can be used as a surface disinfectant in the dentistry?

A)Iodophors
B)Ethyl alcohol
C)Isopropyl alcohol
D)Ammonia

Question 12

Carpet in dental treatment areas:

A)is as easy to clean as nonporous hard-surface flooring.
B)can be disinfected.
C)harbors bacteria but not fungi.
D)harbors both bacteria and fungi.

Question 13

By current infection control guidelines of the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP),instrument trays are considered to be _____ surfaces.

A)touch
B)transfer
C)splash
D)droplet

Question 14

Some microorganisms may survive on outside the host on environmental surfaces.The organism of concern to dentistry that can survive five weeks outside the host is:

A)herpes simplex.
B)tuberculosis.
C)none of the above.
D)both a and b

Question 15

To avoid contamination in a dental treatment area,the best approach is to:

A)disinfect the dental treatment tray, light handles, and patient chair.
B)disinfect the light handle, chair handles, and anything the patient has touched.
C)disinfect those surfaces touched by dental instruments.
D)assume all surfaces have been contaminated.

Question 16

Following OSAP protocol,surface barriers:

A)should be removed and discarded between patients after removal of gloves.
B)should be removed and discarded between patients while hands are still gloved.
C)should be disinfected using the spray-wipe-spray technique.
D)eliminate the need to clean and disinfect surfaces at the beginning and end of each workday.

Question 17

If the surface below the barrier is inadvertently touched when removing a contaminated barrier,the protocol to follow indicates:

A)the surface does not have to be cleaned and disinfected.
B)the surface needs to be cleaned and disinfected.
C)all treatment room surfaces need to be cleaned and disinfected.
D)a double layer of protective material needs to be placed over the contaminated surface.

Question 18

To effectively clean and disinfect dental treatment rooms:

A)latex examination gloves should be used.
B)the surface should remain moist for the manufacturer's recommended time for fungicidal action, usually a minute.
C)the surface should remain moist for the manufacturer's recommended time for fungicidal action, usually 10 minutes.
D)the surface should remain moist for the manufacturer's recommended time for tuberculocidal action, usually 10 minutes.

Question 19

The high-level disinfectant that does not require activation or mixing and has little odor is:

A)chlorine dioxide.
B)glutaraldehyde.
C)ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA).
D)sodium hypochlorite.

Question 20

The environmental surfaces that must be cleaned and decontaminated more rigorously than the others are:

A)housekeeping surfaces.
B)clinical contact surfaces.
C)floors and walls.
D)sinks.

Question 21

According to the EPA,synthetic phenol compounds are categorized as intermediate-level hospital disinfectants.Phenols can be used on:

A)metal.
B)glass.
C)rubber or plastic.
D)all of the above.

Question 22

The chemical disinfectant classified as an intermediate-level agent that is no longer recommended for use in dentistry is:

A)glutaraldehyde.
B)alcohol.
C)phenols.
D)sodium hypochlorite.

Question 23

One reason for taking precautions when using complex phenols for disinfection is that they:

A)are corrosive and cannot be reused.
B)must be used on hard surfaces only.
C)can degrade some plastics or etch the surface of glass.
D)leave chlorine smell on surfaces.

Question 24

All of the following surfaces should be protected from contamination with barriers except:

A)head rest and control buttons on the chair.
B)light handles, light switches, and x-ray control switches.
C)light-curing device, drawer, and air-water syringe handles.
D)counter tops in the reception area.

Question 25

The protocol to follow to minimize contamination of touch and transfer surfaces from splash,spatter,and surface droplets is to:

A)preclean and disinfect the surfaces after each use with soap, water, and alcohol.
B)use a liquid sterilant weekly.
C)apply an acceptable barrier following precleaning and disinfection.
D)apply, remove, and reapply surface barriers with clean hands.

Question 26

A product capable of killing spores is:

A)sporicidal.
B)iodophors.
C)isopropyl alcohol.
D)ammonia.

Question 27

The use of barriers on surfaces and equipment can prevent contamination of contact areas.The correct protocol for their use would include:

A)removing and discarding with gloved hands, and replacing using clean gloves between patients.
B)using a barrier resistant to fluids.
C)disinfecting each barrier using the spray-wipe-spray technique.
D)both a and b

Question 28

Acceptable barriers include:

A)clear plastic wrap.
B)plastic bags.
C)tubing and plastic-backed paper.
D)all of the above.

Question 29

One of the benefits of using a complex phenol solution for disinfection is that they:

A)are limited to one day of use.
B)leave a residual film on treated surfaces increasing the disinfection benefit.
C)are sporicidal.
D)are compatible with metal, glass, rubber, and plastic.

Question 30

The agency that regulates and registers disinfectants and chemical sterilants according to chemical classification is:

A)OSHA.
B)the FDA.
C)the EPA.
D)the CDC.

Question 31

A product capable of killing a virus should be labeled:

A)fungicidal.
B)sporicidal.
C)tuberculocidal.
D)virucidal.

Question 32

The agency responsible for the Bloodborne Pathogens Standards that requires contaminated surfaces to be disinfected between patients,even if no evidence of contamination is visible is:

A)the CDC.
B)OSHA.
C)the FDA.
D)none of the above.

Question 33

Under the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings-2003,housekeeping surfaces include:

A)floors.
B)walls.
C)sinks.
D)all of the above.

Question 34

One difference between a disinfectant and sterilant is:

A)a disinfectant kills disease-causing microorganisms remaining on surfaces after precleaning.
B)a disinfectant destroys all microorganisms.
C)a disinfectant is destroys all spores and fungi.
D)both a and b

Question 35

The following are considered single-use items except:

A)patient napkins.
B)plastic orthodontic brackets.
C)metal impression trays.
D)irrigating syringes.

Question 36

Which of the following is found on the label of a chemical agent?

A)Directions for use.
B)Precautionary statements for handling the product.
C)Storage, disposal, and manufacturer's recommendations for use.
D)All of the above.

Question 37

Instability,daily preparation,strong odor,and corrosion are some of the disadvantages of:

A)halogens.
B)iodophors.
C)complex phenols.
D)sodium hypochlorite.

Question 38

"Green" infection control protocols can be implemented in all of the following except:

A)traditional film-based radiography.
B)digital radiology.
C)using only EPA-registered disinfectants.
D)using recyclable product packaging.