Deck 3: Sterilization and Disinfection

Question 1

The agent used to destroy microorganisms on an article depends on the

A) size of the article.
B) intended use of the article.
C) number of microorganisms present on the article.
D) weight of the article.

Answer 1

intended use of the article.

Question 2

Which of the following is true regarding the GHS?

A) It provides consistency in the classification and labeling of chemicals.
B) It classifies chemicals according to their health and physical hazards.
C) It enables employees to quickly obtain information regarding hazardous chemicals.
D) It is an international standard.
E) All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

Which of the following items requires high-level disinfection?

A) Stethoscope
B) Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope
C) Surgical instruments
D) Examining table

Answer 3

Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope

Question 4

Utility gloves over clean disposable gloves should be worn during the sanitization procedure to protect the hands from

A) bloodborne pathogens.
B) infectious materials.
C) irritating chemicals.
D) All of the above

Question 5

Which of the following is accomplished through sanitization?

A) Organic matter is removed from the article.
B) All microorganisms are removed from the article.
C) The article is sterilized.
D) Spores are killed.

Question 6

Intermediate level disinfection inactivates or kills all of the following except:

A) Tubercle bacilli
B) All vegetative bacteria
C) Bacterial spores
D) Most viruses

Question 7

According to the Hazard Communications Standard,which of the following must be included on the label of a hazardous chemical?

A) Product identifier
B) Supplier identification
C) GHS signal word
D) GHS hazard statement
E) All of the above

Question 8

What is the term for a phrase that describes the recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical?

A) GHS hazard classification
B) GHS hazard statement
C) GHS precautionary statement
D) GHS signal word

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of bacterial spores?

A) They consist of a hard,thick-walled capsule.
B) They represent a resting and protective stage.
C) They are more resistant to heat.
D) They usually cannot be killed by disinfectants.
E) All of the above

Question 10

Which of the following is used most often to sterilize articles in the medical office?

A) Dry heat oven
B) Ethylene oxide sterilizer
C) Autoclave
D) Chemical agents

Question 11

Something that is sterile is free of

A) pathogens.
B) all living microorganisms.
C) all living microorganisms and spores.
D) nonpathogens.

Question 12

What is the purpose of lubricating an instrument?

A) It makes the instrument last longer and function better.
B) It prevents rusting of the instrument.
C) It assists in killing pathogens on the instrument.
D) It reduces the time needed to sterilize the instrument.

Question 13

The purpose of the Hazard Communications Standard (HCS)is to ensure that employees

A) do not come in contact with hazardous chemicals.
B) are protected from bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.
C) practice quality control when performing laboratory tests.
D) are informed of the hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace.

Question 14

Which of the following represents an error in technique during the sanitization procedure?

A) Using a low-sudsing detergent
B) Cleansing the grooves of hinged instruments using a wire brush
C) Using steel wool to remove stains from instruments
D) Checking instruments for proper working condition

Question 15

Why should a chemical not be used past its expiration date?

A) It may cause stains on an instrument.
B) It may lose its potency.
C) It may cause an instrument to malfunction
D) It may leave residue on an instrument

Question 16

High-level disinfection is a process that

A) destroys all pathogenic microorganisms.
B) destroys all microorganisms and spores.
C) destroys all microorganisms except tubercle bacilli.
D) destroys all microorganisms,but not spores.

Question 17

Which of the following is true regarding an SDS?

A) It provides information regarding hazardous chemicals.
B) It must be kept on file for each hazardous chemical stored in the workplace.
C) It must be readily available to employees.
D) It is available from the manufacturer of the hazardous chemical.
E) All of the above

Question 18

What is the term for an agent that kills disease-producing microorganisms and that usually is applied to inanimate objects?

A) Disinfectant
B) Antiseptic
C) Fungicide
D) Detergent

Question 19

What should be used when cleaning the surface of an instrument?

A) Antiseptic wipe
B) Nylon brush
C) Stainless-steel wire brush
D) Soft cloth

Question 20

All of the following are characteristics of GHS pictograms except:

A) They are standardized graphic symbols.
B) They allow for quick identification of hazards associated with chemicals.
C) They consist of eight different pictograms.
D) They identify the proper handling and storage of chemicals.

Question 21

The purpose of wrapping articles before they are sterilized in the autoclave is to

A) permit better steam penetration during autoclaving.
B) protect the articles from recontamination after autoclaving.
C) ensure complete destruction of all pathogens.
D) protect the articles from damage.
E) All of the above

Question 22

What should be done if a sterilization indicator does not change properly?

A) Check for a problem with the sterilization technique.
B) Check the working order of the autoclave.
C) Review the manufacturer's guidelines for proper operation of the autoclave.
D) Resterilize the article.
E) All of the above

Question 23

The wrapper used to autoclave articles should

A) prevent contaminants from getting in during handling and storage.
B) be made of a substance that does not tear or puncture easily.
C) be made of a substance not affected by the sterilization process.
D) allow steam to penetrate it.
E) All of the above

Question 24

All of the following are characteristics of sterilization pouches except:

A) They provide good visibility of the contents.
B) A sterilization indicator is usually present on the pouch.
C) They can be labeled.
D) They are reusable.

Question 25

Which of the following represents an error in technique during the chemical disinfection procedure?

A) Sanitizing articles before disinfecting them
B) Opening hinged instruments before placing them in the disinfectant
C) Completely immersing articles in the chemical disinfectant
D) Making sure articles are wet before immersing them in the disinfectant

Question 26

Why should all organic matter be removed from an article before it is disinfected?

A) To prevent the article from rusting
B) To prevent stains on the article
C) To allow the disinfectant to reach all parts of the article
D) To ensure the proper working condition of the article

Question 27

Autoclave tape

A) ensures whether sterilization has occurred.
B) indicates whether the article was in the autoclave.
C) can be used only to close the pack.
D) plays "Jingle Bells" when it has been exposed to steam.

Question 28

The period of time that a disinfecting solution is effective after it has been activated is known as its

A) reuse life.
B) shelf life.
C) use life.
D) expiration date.

Question 29

How should sterilization indicators be stored?

A) In a cool,dry area
B) In the refrigerator
C) In a warm,moist area
D) In an airtight container

Question 30

What type of water should be used in the autoclave?

A) Salt water
B) Tap water
C) Distilled water
D) Mineral water

Question 31

Which of the following concentrations of alcohol is the most effective disinfectant?

A) 50% isopropyl alcohol
B) 60% isopropyl alcohol
C) 70% isopropyl alcohol
D) 100% isopropyl alcohol

Question 32

The most common temperature and pressure used for autoclaving is

A) 320° F (160° C)at 20 pounds of pressure/square inch.
B) 145° F (62.8° C)at 20 pounds of pressure/square inch.
C) 212° F (100° C)at 15 pounds of pressure/square inch.
D) 250° F (121° C)at 15 pounds of pressure/square inch.

Question 33

Low-level disinfection cannot be used to disinfect which of the following?

A) Examining tables
B) Countertops
C) Floors
D) Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope

Question 34

Which of the following is the best means of determining the effectiveness of the sterilization process?

A) The temperature gauge on the autoclave
B) Biological indicators
C) Sterilization strips
D) Autoclave tape

Question 35

All of the following are examples of noncritical items except:

A) Percussion hammer
B) Nasal speculum
C) Stethoscope
D) Crutches

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a critical item?

A) Percussion hammer
B) Stethoscope
C) Surgical instrument
D) Tongue blade

Question 37

All of the following are guidelines for working with glutaraldehyde (Cidex)except:

A) When working in a well-ventilated area
B) When wearing safety goggles
C) When wearing utility gloves
D) When storing the glutaraldehyde container in a warm,dry area

Question 38

Sterilization strips should be positioned

A) on the bottom tray of the autoclave.
B) on the top tray of the autoclave.
C) in the center of the wrapped pack.
D) on the outside of the pack.

Question 39

Which of the following should be used to disinfect a laboratory work surface?

A) Soap
B) Phenol
C) Glutaraldehyde
D) Iodine

Question 40

Which of the following does OSHA recommend for the decontamination of a blood spill?

A) 70% isopropyl alcohol
B) 10% household bleach in water
C) 2% glutaraldehyde
D) Lysol

Question 41

The recommended exposure time and temperature for a dry heat oven is

A) 250° F (121° C)for 1 hour.
B) 320° F (160° C)for 1-2 hours.
C) 320° F (160° C)for 15-20 minutes.
D) 212° F (100° C)for 20-30 minutes.

Question 42

Which of the following must be resterilized?

A) A pack that has been dropped
B) A pack that has opened up
C) A pack that has been crushed
D) A pack that is torn
E) All of the above

Question 43

Which of the following statements is not true regarding cold sterilization with a chemical agent?

A) The chemical must be designated as a sterilant by the EPA.
B) Items must be submerged in the chemical for 6-24 hours.
C) Each time a new item is added to the chemical,the clock must be reset for the entire amount of time.
D) It is the preferred method for sterilizing instruments with sharp cutting edges.

Question 44

How should sterilized packs be stored?

A) In a clean dry area
B) In an area free from dust and insects
C) With the most recently sterilized article placed in the back
D) All of the above

Question 45

Which of the following represents an error in technique when loading the autoclave?

A) Placing small packs {1/2} inch apart
B) Placing glassware on their sides
C) Placing a dressing pack in a vertical position
D) Positioning sterilization pouches on their sides

Question 46

Which of the following sterilization methods is often used by medical manufacturers to sterilize disposable items?

A) Cold sterilization
B) Dry heat oven
C) Ethylene oxide gas
D) Autoclave

Question 47

The proper time for sterilizing an article in the autoclave depends on

A) the type of autoclave being used.
B) what is being sterilized.
C) the type of sterilization indicator being used.
D) the intended use of the article.

Question 48

Dry heat is preferred for sterilizing

A) disposable syringes.
B) vaginal specula.
C) flexible sigmoidoscopes.
D) instruments with sharp cutting edges.

Question 49

Removing a wet pack from the autoclave results in

A) rusting of metal instruments.
B) dulling of sharp instruments.
C) contamination of the pack.
D) invalid results on the sterilization indicator.
E) All of the above

Question 50

The inside of the autoclave should be wiped every day with

A) a damp cloth.
B) a disinfectant.
C) a low-sudsing detergent.
D) a scouring pad.