Safety and Infection Control Flashcards

Which pathogen requires N95 respirator protection rather than a standard surgical mask in the perioperative setting?

Answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei, requiring N95 respirators to prevent healthcare worker infection.

What is the significance of biofilm formation in chronic foot and ankle infections such as diabetic foot osteomyelitis?

Answer: Biofilm protects bacteria from antibiotics and host defenses, making eradication extremely difficult

Biofilm-embedded organisms are highly resistant to antibiotics and immune clearance, often requiring surgical debridement for infection control.

A scrub technician accidentally drops a sterile instrument onto the non-sterile floor. What is the correct action?

Answer: Discard the instrument and request a replacement sterile item

Any item that contacts a non-sterile surface is considered contaminated and must be discarded and replaced with a sterile item.

Which preoperative skin preparation agent has superior residual (persistent) antimicrobial activity on foot and ankle surgical sites?

Answer: Chlorhexidine gluconate

Chlorhexidine gluconate binds to skin proteins and retains antimicrobial activity for several hours after application, unlike iodine-based agents.

Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which item requires disposal in a sharps container in the foot and ankle operating room?

Answer: Used Kirschner wires (K-wires)

K-wires and all sharp instruments contaminated with blood or body fluids must be disposed of in puncture-resistant sharps containers per OSHA standards.

What is the recommended action when a flash (immediate use) steam sterilization cycle is used for a dropped implant during foot and ankle surgery?

Answer: Flash sterilization should be avoided for implantable devices whenever possible; use only as a last resort with proper documentation

Flash sterilization of implants increases infection risk due to shortened cycle times and lack of bioburden testing, and should only be used as a last resort.

A patient is scheduled for elective foot surgery and is found to have an active upper respiratory tract infection. What is the most appropriate decision?

Answer: Postpone elective surgery until the infection resolves to reduce surgical site infection and anesthetic risk

Active infection increases surgical site infection risk and anesthetic complications; postponing elective procedures until recovery is the safest approach.