Chapter 11: Infection Control

How long must items remain immersed in liquid chemical sterilization solution in order to be sterilized?

10 hours

Which agency regulates gloves used in the health care industry ?

FDA

After instruments have been removed from the ultrasonic cleaner they ___________.

are sterilized

Using chemical agents that destroy most microorganisms is called ___________.

disinfecting

What is the sterilant used in an autoclave ?

distilled water

Utility gloves are used to __________.

protect the hands when cleaning the treatment area

How long does it take to sterilize instruments in a static air sterilizer ?

1 to 2 hours

What organization is composed of dental health care workers and helps dental offices correct infection control?

OSAP

The water supply used for patient treatment cannot exceed __________ bacterial colonies or colony forming units of heteroptrophic water bacteria per milliliter or water.

500

What should the DA do after bringing the contaminated tray to the instrument processing area?

Clean the nonsubmersible items using wipes and toweling

Which regulatory agency is involved in regulating the disposal of hazardous waste after it leaves the dental office ?

EPA

When precleaning clinical contact surfaces, what should you use for disinfection ?

EPA-registered hospital disinfectant

An instrument processing area should be set up in each treatment room.

False

Evacuator traps should be changed or cleaned every day.

False

Plastic-backed paper is the most commonly used clinical surface barrier in dental practices.

False

Prescription eyeglasses by themselves provide sufficient eye protection when performing dental care procedures.

False

Sanitization is the process of removing all infectious microorganisms from an inanimate object.

False

The handpiece should be sterilized using dry heat sterilization.

False

The ultrasonic cleaner is used to disinfect instruments.

False

Type I hypersensitivity is the most common allergic reaction to latex gloves.

False

When disinfecting clinical contact surfaces, if an area is highly contaminated, the spray-wipe-spray method should be used.

False

Which regulatory body enforced the law that employers must protect their employees from exposure to infectious materials ?

OSHA

The BloodBorne Pathogen Standard requires dental offices to ____________.

Provide certain employees with PPE

Achieving asepsis in the dental office includes both sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces.

True

Both vinyl and latex gloves can be washed and reused.

True

Dental assistants should wash their hands after each patient even if their hands look clean.

True

Following hand washing, you should dry your hands with a paper towel.

True

Hinged instruments should be fully opened when immersed in difinfectant.

True

If a sterilized instrument package is torn, the instruments must be cleaned and sterilized again.

True

OSHA's Hazard Communications Standard required employers to maintain a file of Safety Data Sheets for all products in the office.

True

OSHA's Hazard Communications Standard requires employers to maintain a file of Safety Data Sheets for all products in the office.

True

The patient should be offered protective eyewear.

True

The saturate-wipe-saturate method should be used when disinfecting transfer surfaces.

True

The standard precautions involve treating all body fluids as if they are infectious.

True

if sterilization has occurred, all forms of microorganisms have been destroyed.

True

Protective clothing worn during procedures that cause spatter should have __________.

a high neckline

When should waterlines in the treatment area be flushed ?

after each patient

The creation of an environment free of pathogens is __________.

asepsis

When disinfecting instruments, you should ____________.

be precise when measuring the amounts of disinfectant and water used to make the solution

What is the preferred method of sterilization monitoring ?

biologic monitoring

Which of these items is an example of a critical instrument?

bone chisel

When donning PPE, which item should you put first ?

gown

Which disinfection method is used to disinfect contaminated heat-sensitive instruments?

immersion

Sterilization failures occur when _____________.

instruments are not properly cleaned

Which is true of isopropyl alcohol?

it is not recommended as a surface disinfectant

Low-level disinfectants should be used to disinfect ____________.

no critical surfaces without visible blood

How should sanitized instruments be transported to the sterilization area?

on a covered tray

How should you dispose of a broken metal dental instrument ?

place it in a sharps container

Overgloves are used to __________.

prevent cross-contamination from examination gloves

Which of these is an example of chemical sterilization monitoring?

process indicators

An autoclave sterilizes by using __________.

steam under pressure

Which type of ultrasonic cleaner solution is used for dentures ?

tartar and stain remover

Which of these surfaces is an example of a clinical contact surface ?

treatment room chair side sink

What should you do with a semi critical item if it cannot be sterilized after use?

use high-level disinfectant

When mixing the disinfectant with water, you should use ___________ water unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise.

warm