AAMA Infection Control, Medical Asepsis, and Sterilization 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the chain of infection, which link does hand hygiene primarily interrupt?
- Reservoir
- Mode of transmission (Correct answer)
- Portal of entry
- Susceptible host
Correct answer: Mode of transmission
Hand hygiene removes pathogens from hands and interrupts the mode of transmission, preventing pathogens from reaching a new host.
Question 2: Which disinfection level is required for a thermometer used in the mouth?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- High-level disinfection
- Sterilization
Correct answer: Intermediate-level disinfection
Oral thermometers are semicritical items that contact mucous membranes and require intermediate-level disinfection at minimum.
Question 3: What does the term 'sanitization' mean in the context of instrument processing?
- Killing all microorganisms including spores
- Reducing microbial count to a safe level and removing debris (Correct answer)
- Killing all vegetative bacteria but not spores
- Removing all chemical residue from instruments
Correct answer: Reducing microbial count to a safe level and removing debris
Sanitization (cleaning) reduces microbial count and removes gross soil/debris; it is the first step before disinfection or sterilization.
Question 4: A medical assistant notices a package sterilized 45 days ago. What should they do?
- Use it immediately since the package is intact
- Check the expiration date only
- Resterilize the package regardless of its appearance
- Inspect the package integrity and chemical indicator before use (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Inspect the package integrity and chemical indicator before use
Sterility is event-related; a package should be inspected for intact seals, no moisture, and a color-changed chemical indicator before use.
Question 5: Which type of precaution should be implemented for a patient with influenza?
- Airborne precautions
- Droplet precautions (Correct answer)
- Contact precautions
- Protective precautions
Correct answer: Droplet precautions
Influenza is spread via large respiratory droplets (>5 microns), requiring droplet precautions including surgical masks within 3–6 feet.
Question 6: What is the role of the EPA in infection control for medical offices?
- Regulating hand hygiene products
- Registering and regulating disinfectants used on environmental surfaces (Correct answer)
- Setting autoclave temperature standards
- Approving sterile packaging materials
Correct answer: Registering and regulating disinfectants used on environmental surfaces
The EPA registers hospital-grade disinfectants used on environmental surfaces; products must carry an EPA registration number to be used in medical settings.
Question 7: Which practice is an example of surgical asepsis?
- Washing hands before taking vital signs
- Wearing gloves when emptying a trash can
- Maintaining a sterile field during a minor surgical procedure (Correct answer)
- Cleaning exam tables between patients
Correct answer: Maintaining a sterile field during a minor surgical procedure
Surgical asepsis involves maintaining a completely sterile environment during invasive procedures to prevent any microorganisms from entering the body.
AAMA Infection Control, Medical Asepsis, and Sterilization 3
In the chain of infection, which link does hand hygiene primarily interrupt?