Deck 12: Instrument Processing

Question 1

What is the main concern or precaution with using a dry heat oven-type sterilizer?

A)There is no biological indicator that can be used to monitor the sterilization process.
B)It has a long sterilization time.
C)It causes corrosion of carbon steel instruments.
D)It requires the purchase and use of a special chemical sterilizing solution.

Answer 1

It has a long sterilization time.

Question 2

How should instrument packages or cassettes be placed into the sterilizer chamber?

A)On their edges or in a single layer
B)Layered flat and stacked upon one another
C)Packed tight to reduce any air space between the packages or cassettes
D)One cassette or package at a time regardless of its size

Answer 2

On their edges or in a single layer

Question 3

What is the main reason for packaging instruments before they are placed in a sterilizer?

A)To prevent dirt or dust in the sterilizer from depositing on the instruments
B)To protect the instrument from recontamination after sterilization
C)To keep the killed microbes inside the packages so they won't contaminate the sterilizer chamber
D)To prevent rusting of the instruments

Answer 3

To protect the instrument from recontamination after sterilization

Question 4

Spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus are used in biological indicators to monitor:

A)dry heat and steam sterilizers.
B)dry heat and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers.
C)steam and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers.
D)dry heat, steam, and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers.

Question 5

Bacillus atrophaeus spores are used to monitor which of the following sterilizers?

A)Dry heat sterilizer
B)Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer
C)Steam sterilizer
D)Dry heat sterilizer and steam sterilizer

Question 6

What is the first step to take after a sterilization failure is detected through spore testing?

A)Review procedure to identify problems.
B)Repeat the cycle and observe.
C)Determine the fate of the sterilizer.
D)Take the sterilizer out of service.

Question 7

What is the main concern or precaution with using an unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer?

A)There is no biological indicator that can be used to monitor this sterilization process.
B)It has a long sterilization time.
C)It causes corrosion of carbon steel instruments.
D)It requires the purchase and use of a special chemical sterilizing solution.

Question 8

Which of the following sterilization methods lead to corrosion (e.g., rusting) of carbon steel instruments?

A)Steam
B)Dry heat
C)Unsaturated chemical vapor
D)Dry heat and steam

Question 9

Why is it important to let instruments packaged in paper/plastic pouches, paper bags, or sterilization wrap dry inside the steam sterilizer?

A)To complete the killing of microbes that may have survived the sterilization process
B)To minimize tearing of packaging materials when handling the sterilized items and to avoid wicking
C)To prevent water spots from appearing on the instruments
D)To let the chemical indicators fully turn the appropriate color

Question 10

Why should ultrasonic cleaning or automatic instrument washers be used instead of routine hand-scrubbing to clean contaminated dental instruments?

A)Ultrasonic cleaning and instrument washers sterilize the instruments.
B)Ultrasonic cleaning and instrument washers are less expensive.
C)Hand-scrubbing does not get the instruments clean.
D)Hand-scrubbing increases the chances of sharps injuries.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true about ultrasonic cleaning of dental instruments?

A)Never use a basket when cleaning loose instruments.
B)Using dishwashing detergent is best for cleaning dental instruments.
C)Used cleaning solution contains live microbes.
D)Instrument cassettes cannot be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Question 12

The goal of instrument processing is to:

A)provide sterile instruments at chairside for use on a subsequent patient.
B)sterilize contaminated instruments.
C)clean instruments free of visible debris.
D)eliminate water spots.

Question 13

Paper/plastic peel pouches cannot be used in a(n) _____ sterilizer.

A)dry heat
B)steam
C)unsaturated chemical vapor
D)dry heat or steam

Question 14

"Autoclave" tape is used for which type of sterilization monitoring?

A)Chemical
B)Biological
C)Mechanical
D)Mechanical and biological

Question 15

During instrument processing, what is the reason for sterilizing instruments?

A)To remove all visible debris from the instruments
B)To protect the instruments after they are removed from the sterilizer
C)To kill all remaining microbes on the instruments after they have been cleaned
D)To make the instruments easier to clean

Question 16

How would you sterilize burs made of carbon steel?

A)In a steam autoclave at 121° C
B)In a steam autoclave at 134° C
C)In a dry heat sterilizer
D)In boiling water

Question 17

Why should handpieces be heat sterilized rather than wiped off with a disinfectant between patients?

A)Because wiping off the outside will cause the handpiece to rust
B)Because wiping off the outside will not kill the microbes that were retracted up inside the handpiece
C)Because wiping off the outside could allow some of the damaging disinfectant to get inside the handpiece and destroy it
D)Because heat sterilization will help the internal lubricant spread to all surfaces in the turbine chamber

Question 18

What should be done to the instruments at the end of a steam sterilization cycle?

A)Immediately place the packages or cassettes on a countertop for cooling and drying in the room air.
B)Unwrap the instruments and cool them down by dipping in cold sterile water.
C)Remove the instruments from the packaging material and ultrasonically clean them.
D)Let the instrument packages dry inside the sterilizer before handling them.

Question 19

How would you sterilize a plastic, reusable, rubber dam frame that melts at 100° C (212° F)?

A)Steam sterilizer
B)Liquid chemical sterilant
C)Dry heat sterilizer
D)Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer

Question 20

When designing a sterilization facility and purchasing a new sterilizer, one should look for clearance of the desired sterilizer by what federal agency?

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

Question 21

Which bacterial spore is used to spore-test a steam sterilizer and the unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer?

A)Geobacillus stearothermophilus
B)Clostridium tetani
C)Bacillus atrophaeus
D)Bacillus cereus

Question 22

Sterilization is best defined as a process:

A)designed to kill microbes present in the mouth.
B)intended to kill all microbes.
C)designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores.
D)designed to kill microbes present on the skin.

Question 23

Which of the following is a problem when using a liquid chemical sterilant on heat-sensitive instruments?

A)These sterilants require at least 24 hours of contact time.
B)These sterilants destroy all plastic items.
C)These sterilants cannot be spore-tested.
D)These sterilants are all glutaraldehydes.

Question 24

According to the CDC, how should critical instruments be prepared for use?

A)Thoroughly wiped down with alcohol
B)Processed with high-level disinfection
C)Sterilized in an ultrasonic cleaner
D)Heat sterilized

Question 25

What is sterility assurance?

A)Using liquid sterilants on critical instruments with a submersion time of 20 hours
B)The correct performance of the proper instrument processing steps and monitoring of the sterilization step
C)The proper use of personal protective equipment when processing contaminated instruments
D)Managing the office infection control program so that no sharps injuries occur

Question 26

According to the CDC, how should heat-sensitive semi-critical instruments be prepared for use?

A)Thoroughly wiped down with alcohol
B)Processed with high-level disinfection
C)Sterilized in an ultrasonic cleaner
D)Heat sterilized

Question 27

According to the CDC, how should noncritical instruments be prepared for use?

A)Thoroughly cleaned
B)Processed with high-level disinfection
C)Processed with intermediate-level or low-level disinfection
D)Heat sterilized

Question 28

According to the CDC, critical instruments are those that:

A)penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue.
B)contact mucous membranes but do not penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue.
C)contact the skin.
D)are very expensive and in short supply.

Question 29

According to the CDC, how often is one to perform biological monitoring of a sterilizer?

A)Once a day
B)Once a week
C)Once a month
D)Every load

Question 30

Why is it important to dry instruments before dry heat or unsaturated chemical vapor sterilization?

A)To prevent the instruments from getting too hot
B)To keep the instruments from sticking to each other during the sterilization process
C)To maintain the anti-rusting nature of these two methods of sterilization
D)To make sure the chemical indicators do not get wet

Question 31

Disinfection is best defined as a process:

A)designed to kill microbes present in the mouth.
B)intended to kill all microbes.
C)designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores.
D)designed to kill microbes present on the skin.

Question 32

Which of the following is an advantage of using instrument cassettes?

A)It permits the instruments inside to be rinsed with hot water rather than being ultrasonically cleaned or processed through an instrument washer.
B)It reduces the sterilization time by 50%.
C)They do not have to be wrapped before sterilization.
D)It reduces direct handling of contaminated instrument; therefore, it reduces the risks of sharps injuries.

Question 33

The reason for holding (presoaking) instruments prior to cleaning is to:

A)prevent rusting.
B)kill microbes.
C)reduce water spotting.
D)facilitate cleaning.

Question 34

A system of storage of sterilized instrument packages that recognizes a package's contents should remain sterile until some event causes items inside to become contaminated is correctly referred to as event-_____ storage.

A)horizon
B)occurrence
C)related
D)entitled

Question 35

According to the CDC, semi-critical instruments are those that:

A)penetrate soft tissue, contacts, bone, enters into or contacts the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue.
B)contact mucous membranes but will not penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue.
C)contact the skin.
D)are very expensive and in short supply.

Question 36

According to the CDC, how often is one to perform chemical monitoring of the sterilization process?

A)With one package a day
B)With one package a week
C)With one package a month
D)With every package in every load

Question 37

What is the main reason why cloth (e.g., towels, denim) should not be used as a sterilization wrap?

A)It is too expensive.
B)It is not a good microbe barrier.
C)It is too difficult to store.
D)It is too difficult to launder.

Question 38

There are two reasons why packages of instruments should be allowed to dry inside the steam sterilizer before they are handled.One reason is because wet paper can easily tear when handled.The other is because:

A)of wicking.
B)the colors of chemical indicators can be seen only on a dry package.
C)wet instruments will have more water spots on them.
D)the killing of the microbes is not yet complete until after the dry cycle.

Question 39

According to the CDC, how often is one to perform mechanical monitoring of a sterilizer?

A)Once a day
B)Once a week
C)Once a month
D)Every load

Question 40

According to the CDC, how should non-heat-sensitive semi-critical instruments be prepared for use?

A)Thoroughly wiped down with alcohol
B)Processed with high-level disinfection
C)Sterilized in an ultrasonic cleaner
D)Heat sterilized

Question 41

Paper bags for steam sterilization are best used to package:

A)metal impression trays.
B)hand mirrors and napkin chains.
C)explorers and periodontal probes.
D)lightweight nonsharp items.

Question 42

What is the rationale for the holding step as part of instrument processing?

A)To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work
B)To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing
C)To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing
D)To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying

Question 43

Why should heavy and/or sharp instruments not be packaged in paper bags for steam sterilization?

A)These bags are too difficult to open after sterilization.
B)The bags will get wet during sterilization, and the instruments may puncture the bag or the bag may easily tear.
C)These bags are not good microbial barriers, so they give little protection to the instruments inside after sterilization.
D)These bags cannot be adequately sealed before sterilization.

Question 44

What is the rationale for the pre-cleaning step as part of instrument processing?

A)To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work
B)To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing
C)To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing
D)To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying

Question 45

What is the rationale for the packaging step as part of instrument processing?

A)To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work
B)To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing
C)To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing
D)To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying

Question 46

What are the three main areas in a sterilizing facility?

A)Holding, rust control, sterilization, and storage
B)Decontamination, monitoring, storage
C)Waste disposal, sterilization and storage, monitoring
D)Decontamination, packaging, sterilization, and storage

Question 47

What is the correct sequence of the instrument processing steps?

A)Pre-cleaning, holding, sterilization, corrosion control, packaging, monitoring, handling
B)Holding, pre-cleaning, corrosion control, packaging, sterilization, monitoring, handling
C)Corrosion control, pre-cleaning, packaging, holding, sterilization, monitoring, handling
D)Pre-cleaning, corrosion control, holding, sterilization, packaging, handling, monitoring

Question 48

Proper steam sterilization involves placing the instruments in a completely closed container before processing them through the sterilizer.