infection control safety and asepsis

The fit of a lower denture is being adjusted at chairside. After adjustment what should be done to the denture before taking it into the laboratory for final polishing? Group of answer choice Rinse it off with warm water. Heat sterilize it. Soak it in soapy water for 10 minutes. Disinfect it.

Disinfect it.

What should be done if an instrument is dropped on the floor during patient treatment? Pick it up, wipe it off with alcohol, and continue using it. Use tongs to pick it up, wipe it off with alcohol, and continue using it. Put on heavy utility gloves, pick it up, wipe it off with alcohol, and continue using it. Obtain a sterile replacement and continue.

Obtain a sterile replacement and continue.

What is the best way to clean a heavily soiled denture? Place in a beaker under running tap water for 15 minutes. Submerge in boiling water for 15 minutes. Place in a zip-locked plastic bag or beaker containing an ultrasonic detergent and clean it ultrasonically. Use a shell blaster.

Place in a zip-locked plastic bag or beaker containing an ultrasonic detergent and clean it ultrasonically

What does the CDC have that might help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases in the waiting room? Vaccine against the common cold Their own brand of facial tissues Posters about covering your cough The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Posters about covering your cough

Which of the following has the highest minimum cooking temperature? Beef steaks Fresh ham Poultry Ground beef

Poultry

Which of the following laboratory items can always be cleaned and heat sterilized? Impressions Prostheses Bite registrations Metal impression trays and face-bow forks

Prostheses

What needs to be confirmed from an infection control point of view when the office receives a prosthesis from an outside dental. laboratory? The cost of any infection control supplies used by the laboratory The bloodborne infectious disease status of all laboratory employees The number of laboratory employees that have received the hepatitis B vaccination series The decontamination status of the prosthesis

The cost of any infection control supplies used by the laboratory The bloodborne infectious disease status of all laboratory employees

An experienced temporary dental assistant new to the office needs what type of training on the first day in the office? Information on where the safety items are located in the office The complete Hazard Communication Standard training The specific Bloodborne Pathogens Standard training No training is needed for an experienced assistant

The specific Bloodborne Pathogens Standard training

Why should warm air hand driers not be used in the dental office? They draw in air contaminants and blow them right on one's previously washed hands. They are too noisy and use excessive electricity. They are aesthetically unpleasing. They are too expensive.

They draw in air contaminants and blow them right on one's previously washed hands.

What should be done with the leftover polishing agents, such as rouge, after an appliance is polished? Place it in a cup and run a slow stream of water into the cup to rinse the material. Spread the material out in a pan and steam sterilize it. Let it air-dry overnight and return it the central bulk stock. Throw it away.

Throw it away.

What disease was spread to 51 people by the household cook Mary Mallon? Hepatitis B Influenza Measles Typhoid

Typhoid

Which of the following contributes most to disease spread in patient and employee restrooms? Use of bar soap Use of paper towels for drying hands Use of liquid soap containers Hands-free soap dispenser

Use of bar soap

If you use an alcohol hand rub throughout the day, what should you do at the end of the day? Use a final alcohol hand rub to be sure microbes on the hands are not taken home. Take the alcohol hand-rub product home to continue good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, rinse, and dry. Spray your hands with the surface disinfectant used in the office and rinse them well.

Wash your hands with soap and water, rinse, and dry

Environmental surface covers on clinical touch surfaces should be replaced: after every 2 or 3 patients. just before lunch and at the end of the day. at the end of the day. after every patient.

after every patient.

The International Sanitary Supply Association reports that most of the air handling system. air coming in through various vents in the building. people's shoes. air coming in through open windows and doors.

air coming in through open windows and doors.

According to the International Sanitary Supply Association, about 85% of the dirt that enters a building can be eliminated by: thoroughly washing the floors weekly. using and maintaining proper floor mats. having all air ducts cleaned annually. having the furnace cleaned monthly.

having the furnace cleaned monthly.

Torn gloves should be replaced: immediately. after the patient leaves. at the end of the day. before going to lunch or leaving the office.

immediately.

Aseptic retrieval means to: escort the patient from the waiting room to the dental chair while wearing gloves. remove contaminated gloves before picking up dropped items from the floor at chairside to avoid spreading patient materials to the floor. use an alcohol hand rub on your gloves before touching surfaces away from the dental patient (e.g., telephone, door knobs). obtain a single item from a container without contaminating the other items in the container.

obtain a single item from a container without contaminating the other items in the container.

The CDC guidelines for environmental infection control that relate to the dental office reception area include suggestions on: disinfecting all surfaces twice a day. preventing patients with respiratory diseases from entering the office. properly managing flowers and potted plants so they will not adversely affect patients. installing UV lights to sanitize the air.

properly managing flowers and potted plants so they will not adversely affect patients.

Impressions that are sensitive to immersion should be rinsed, shaken to remove excess water, and then: steam sterilized. sprayed with a disinfectant and wrapped in a paper towel. rinsed for 5 minutes with hot tap water. boiled in water for 30 minutes.

sprayed with a disinfectant and wrapped in a paper towel.

Things at the office that will be taken home (e.g., purses, containers, packages, non-protective outer clothing, boots, garment bags) should not be handled with contaminated hands and should be: steam sterilized before taking home. soaked in a disinfectant for 15 minutes before taking home. stored in a nonclinical area while at work. ultrasonically cleaned before taking home.

stored in a nonclinical area while at work.

A "boil water notice" usually occurs when: there is a break in a nearby water main. the sterilizer malfunctions. a staff person has to use the eyewash station because of a disinfectant splash in the eyes. the high-volume evacuator vacuum line becomes clogged.

the sterilizer malfunctions.

Disinfection of dental impressions should last _____ minutes. 5 15 30 60

15

What is the maximum time perishable food should be allowed to sit out at room temperatures below 90° F? 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours 5 hours

2 hrs

What surfaces in the waiting room need to be kept clean? All surfaces The reception window area The magazines The chairs

All surfaces

What is the main infection control tenet concerning laboratory receiving areas? Always wear fresh heavy utility gloves when entering the laboratory. Never wear contaminated clothing into the laboratory. All items coming from patients' mouths must be sterilized or disinfected before being taken into the laboratory. Place prostheses and impressions in sterile containers before taking them into the laboratory.

Always wear fresh heavy utility gloves when entering the laboratory.

How should one manage the infection control of most digital radiographic sensors? Heat sterilize them between patients. Cover them to prevent contamination when placed in the mouth. Soak them for 60 minutes in a liquid sterilant and then thoroughly rinse between patients. Rinse them with warm water between patients.

Cover them to prevent contamination when placed in the mouth.

How does dental unit water become so highly contaminated? The incoming city or well water becomes highly contaminated by the time it reaches the office, so this contamination passes through the dental unit. Contaminated room air enters through the tip of the air/water syringe and the bur hole of high-speed handpieces contaminating the water spray as it exits the waterline. Biofilm builds up in the waterlines and contaminates the water as it flows through the line. All of the microbes in dental unit water come from patients' saliva that has been retracted back into the line through the high-speed handpieces.

Biofilm builds up in the waterlines and contaminates the water as it flows through the line.

What should be done to decontaminate items that do not normally contact the patient (e.g., burs, stones, polishing points, case pans)? Rinse with warm water and dry. Always sterilize in a dry heat sterilizer. Clean and heat sterilize or disinfect according to the manufacturer's directions. Ultrasonically clean, rinse, and dry.

Clean and heat sterilize or disinfect according to the manufacturer's directions.

What should be done to the contaminated high-speed handpiece after a patient appointment? Flush water through it for 30 seconds, remove from the hose, and proceed with proper cleaning and heat sterilization. Remove it from the hose, wipe it off with alcohol, put it in a sterilization bag, and place it with the items that are ready for use with the next patient. Wipe it off with alcohol, cover it and the first 6 inches of the hose with a plastic cover, and place it back in the holder. Remove it from the hose, wipe it off with alcohol, and proceed with heat sterilization.

Flush water through it for 30 seconds, remove from the hose, and proceed with proper cleaning and heat sterilization.

After seating the patient, what personal protective barrier should be put on last? Mask Eyewear Gloves Gown

Gloves

When leaving chairside to obtain a forgotten supply item, what barrier should be removed and then replaced upon returning to the patient? Gloves Mask Eyeglasses Protective clothing

Gloves

What personal protective equipment should be worn when preparing the operatory for a patient? Gloves and protective clothing Protective eyewear, mask, and protective clothing Gloves, protective eyewear, and protective clothing Protective clothing, protective eyewear, mask, and gloves

Gloves and protective clothing

What personal protective equipment needs to be worn when placing fresh surface covers on previously cleaned and disinfected surfaces? Gloves, mask, protective eyewear Mask, protective clothing, protective eyewear Gloves, mask, protective eyewear, protective clothing None

Gloves, mask, protective eyewear

Which OSHA standard requires training on how to safely handle chemicals in the office? Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Hazard Communication Standard Ionizing Radiation Standard Exit Routes Standard

Hazard Communication Standard

What type of gloves should be worn for instrument processing? Heavy utility gloves Nitrile exam gloves Powder-free latex gloves Vinyl exam gloves

Heavy utility gloves

The CDC recommends that health care workers with which of the following diseases be restricted from patient contact? Hepatitis A or periodontal disease Shingles or pediculosis Rubella or dental caries Chickenpox or periapical infection

Hepatitis A or periodontal disease

What should be done if exposed to a patient's saliva? Group of answer choices Wait until after the patient leaves and thoroughly wash the exposed area. Immediately contact the supervisor to institute the post-exposure medical evaluation. At the end of that half-day clinic session, immediately report to the nearest hospital for evaluation. Stop, wash the exposed area, and continue with patient treatment.

Immediately contact the supervisor to institute the post-exposure medical evaluation.

Where should used needles be placed for disposal? In the regular trash in the clinic area In the instrument tray to be taken to the sterilizing room for disposal In a sharps container at chairside In a red bag marked with a biohazard symbol

In a sharps container at chairside

Which of the following cannot be disinfected? Inside the sleeves of a daylight loader The handle of an x-ray unit head An impression A denture

Inside the sleeves of a daylight loader

How should protective clothing be managed? It should be taken home in a plastic bag and laundered in hot soapy water. It can be worn home and laundered separately from other items in hot soapy water. It should be placed in a red biohazard bag and taken to the local laundromat for washing. It needs to be laundered in the office or sent out to a laundry service.

It needs to be laundered in the office or sent out to a laundry service.

What is protective clothing? It's whatever you wear to work. It's whatever you wear home after work. It's what you put on at work to cover whatever your wear in to work. It's what you put on when you are leaving the office during the daytime (e.g., for lunch).

It's what you put on at work to cover whatever your wear in to work.

how should the covered operatory surfaces be managed after a patient appointment? Remove your gloves, remove the surface covers, and place them in the regular trash. Keep your gloves on, remove the surface covers, and place them in the regular trash. Put on fresh gloves, remove the surface covers, and place them in a biohazard bag. Put on fresh gloves, remove the surface covers, clean and disinfect those surfaces, and discard the covers in the regular trash.

Keep your gloves on, remove the surface covers, and place them in the regular trash.

What should be done to equipment that is brought to chairside (e.g., a curing light) during patient treatment? Remove the exam gloves, put on fresh gloves, use the equipment, and continue with patient treatment. Make sure the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected or protected with a fresh surface cover before using it. Keep the exam gloves on, use the equipment, and then wipe it down with alcohol. Remove the exam gloves, use the equipment, put on fresh gloves, wipe the equipment with alcohol, and resume patient treatment.

Make sure the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected or protected with a fresh surface cover before using it.

Which of the following is the best way to manage contamination of a daylight loader? Disinfect the insides of the sleeves after every use. Remove the sleeves after every use and sterilize them in a steam autoclave. Never contaminate the sleeves. Always wear the same gloves used with the patient when you enter the sleeves of the loader, because this prevents wasting gloves.

Never contaminate the sleeves.

What is the correct procedure for placing fresh surface covers on previously covered operatory surfaces between patients? Remove the old covers without touching the underlying surface and place the fresh covers. Remove the old covers without touching the underlying surface, remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, and place the fresh covers. Remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, remove the old covers without touching the underlying surface, and place the fresh covers. Remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, remove the old covers without touching the underlying surface, perform hand hygiene, don fresh gloves, and place the fresh covers.

Remove the gloves, perform hand hygiene, remove the old covers without touching the underlying surface, perform hand hygiene, don fresh gloves, and place the fresh covers.

After exposing x-ray films covered with plastic protective barriers, how should one handle the films before darkroom processing? Put on fresh gloves, remove the plastic barriers dropping the film packets into a paper cup, and proceed to the darkroom. Remove the plastic barriers dropping the film packets into a paper cup and proceed to the darkroom. Remove the plastic barriers dropping the film packets into a paper cup, re-glove, and proceed to the darkroom. Remove the gloves, remove the plastic barriers dropping the film packets into a paper cup, and proceed to the darkroom.

Remove the plastic barriers dropping the film packets into a paper cup, re-glove, and proceed to the darkroom.

How should one decontaminate impressions that are distorted if submerged in a liquid? Spray with a disinfectant and wrapped with a towel moistened with the same disinfectant. Rinse under running tap water. Process through a steam sterilizer. Wrap in a towel saturated with a non-antimicrobial soap and rinsed.

Rinse under running tap water

Which of the following needs to be at chairside? Sterilizer Sharps container X-ray unit Daylight loader

Sharps container

How should one disinfect an impression that is sensitive to immersion? Steam sterilize it. Dry heat sterilize it. Spray it with the disinfectant and wrap with a disinfectant-soaked towel. Brush it with a liquid sterilant.

Spray it with the disinfectant and wrap with a disinfectant-soaked towel.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide specific training to their health care employees on: strep throat. chickenpox and shingles. bloodborne diseases. herpes labialis.

bloodborne diseases

The main rule of laboratory asepsis is that prostheses and appliances must be _____ before being handled in the laboratory. heat sterilized cleaned rinsed with warm water cleaned and disinfected

cleaned

Before sending a prosthesis to a dental laboratory, the prosthesis should be: sterilized in a steam autoclave. rinsed in water. scrubbed with a nonantimicrobial hand washing agent. cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed.

cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed.

Although some x-ray film packets can be disinfected after removal from the patient's mouth, it is best to: steam sterilize them. place them in boiling water for 5 minutes. rinse them under running tap water. cover them with a plastic pouch before they are placed in the patient's mouth.

cover them with a plastic pouch before they are placed in the patient's mouth.

A reasonable solution to deal with contaminated work shoes is to: wash the shoes at the end of each day. disinfect the shoes at the end of each day. leave your work shoes at work. sterilize the shoes at the end of each day.

disinfect the shoes at the end of each day.

Fans should not be used in clinical areas or sterilizing rooms because they: draw in air contaminants and dust and widely redistribute them throughout the area. are too noisy. use excessive electricity. are distracting to the staff.

draw in air contaminants and dust and widely redistribute them throughout the area.

The best way to manage films in a daylight loader is to: use fresh powdered gloves to hold the contaminated film packets when inserting the hands through the sleeves; when inside, remove the plastic protective pouches and proceed with developing. insert only disinfected or uncontaminated film packets into the loader using fresh uncontaminated powder-free gloves, and proceed with developing. put on fresh gloves, take the film packets out of the protective plastic pouches, pass them through to the inside of the loader, remove the film from the packets, and proceed with developing. with bare hands (so as not to contaminate the loader sleeves), remove the contaminated protective pouches, pass the film packets through the sleeves, open the packets, and proceed with developing.

insert only disinfected or uncontaminated film packets into the loader using fresh uncontaminated powder-free gloves, and proceed with developing.

Things taken to work (e.g., purses, gifts, lunch containers, packages, non-protective outer clothing, boots, and garment bags) should be properly managed by: wiping off or spraying the items with a disinfectant immediately after entering the office. rubbing an alcohol hand rub over the items to kill any microbes. informing the patients of these contaminated items not regularly present in the office. keeping the items out of clinical areas.

keeping the items out of clinical areas.