Deck 3: Sterilization and Disinfection

Question 1

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

Answer 1

To allow the disinfectant to reach all parts of the article

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Making sure articles are wet before immersing them in the disinfectant

Question 3

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
E) Lubricating hinged instruments

Answer 3

Using steel wool to remove stains from instruments

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) Cuts or punctures
E) All of the above

Question 5

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 6

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) Stains are removed from the article.
D) Spores are killed.
E) All of the above

Question 7

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 8

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 9

Something that is sterile is free of

A) Pathogens
B) All living microorganisms
C) All living microorganisms and spores
D) Nonpathogens

Question 10

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

A) Work in a well-ventilated area.
B) Wear safety goggles.
C) Wear utility gloves.
D) Store the glutaraldehyde container in a warm, dry area.

Question 11

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 12

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 13

Which of the following is true regarding an MSDS?

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 14

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

Question 15

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 16

Which of the following items requires high-level disinfection?

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

Question 17

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 18

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

A) Name of the chemical
B) Physical hazards of the chemical
C) Health hazards of the chemical
D) Storing and handling of the chemical
E) All of the above

Question 19

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

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

Question 20

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 21

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 22

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 23

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

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

Question 24

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 25

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

A) 250 F for 1 hour
B) 320° F for 1 to 2 hours
C) 320 F for 15 to 20 minutes
D) 212 F for 20 to 30 minutes

Question 26

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

Question 27

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 28

What type of water should be used in the autoclave?

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

Question 29

The most common temperature and pressure used for autoclaving is

A) 320 F at 20 pounds of pressure/square inch
B) 145 F at 20 pounds of pressure/square inch
C) 212 F at 15 pounds of pressure/square inch
D) 250 F at 15 pounds of pressure/square inch

Question 30

The medical assistant should not set the timer on the autoclave until

A) The sterilization indicator changes color
B) The gauge has reached the desired temperature
C) The pressure reaches 15 pounds per square inch
D) Steam enters the inner sterilization chamber

Question 31

All of the following statements are true regarding cold sterilization with a chemical agent except

A) The chemical must be designated as a sterilant by the EPA.
B) Items must be submerged in the chemical for 6 to 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 32

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 gotten wet
D) A pack that is torn
E) All of the above

Question 33

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 34

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 35

The most reliable sterilization indicators check for

A) Attainment of the proper temperature and the duration of the temperature
B) Whether the article has been in the autoclave
C) Attainment of the proper temperature and pressure
D) Presence of trapped air in the autoclave

Question 36

Dry heat is preferred for sterilizing

A) Disposable syringes
B) Vaginal specula
C) Flexible sigmoidoscopes
D) Instruments with sharp cutting edges

Question 37

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 38

All of the following are true statements regarding 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 39

Which of the following would be best to use to wrap a large minor office surgery tray setup?

A) Sterilization pouch
B) Muslin
C) Aluminum foil
D) Sterilization paper

Question 40

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

A) Placing articles 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