ADAP Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which disinfectant level is required for semi-critical dental items that cannot be heat-sterilized?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
Semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes but cannot be sterilized must receive high-level disinfection to eliminate all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of using a biological indicator (spore test) in sterilization monitoring?
- To confirm the autoclave reached the correct temperature
- To detect chemical residue on instruments
- To verify that the sterilization process killed resistant bacterial spores (Correct answer)
- To measure the humidity level inside the chamber
Correct answer: To verify that the sterilization process killed resistant bacterial spores
Biological indicators use highly resistant bacterial spores to confirm that sterilization conditions were sufficient to destroy the most resistant microorganisms.
Question 3: Which bloodborne pathogen is considered most infectious in dentistry due to its survival on surfaces for up to 7 days?
- HIV
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (Correct answer)
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Correct answer: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Hepatitis B virus is the most infectious bloodborne pathogen in dental settings and can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 7 days.
Question 4: A chemical indicator strip changes color after an autoclave cycle. What does this confirm?
- The load is sterile and ready for use
- The parameters needed for sterilization were likely met during the cycle (Correct answer)
- All bacterial spores have been destroyed
- The instrument packaging is intact
Correct answer: The parameters needed for sterilization were likely met during the cycle
Chemical indicators confirm exposure to sterilization parameters (heat, steam) but do not verify that sterilization was actually achieved—only biological indicators confirm that.
Question 5: Which of the following describes the correct sequence for processing contaminated instruments?
- Rinse → sterilize → package → transport
- Transport → rinse → package → sterilize
- Transport → clean → package → sterilize
- Clean → rinse → inspect → package → sterilize (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Clean → rinse → inspect → package → sterilize
Instruments must be cleaned, rinsed, inspected for debris and function, packaged, and then sterilized in the correct order.
Question 6: What is the recommended action when an instrument pouch shows a wet or torn seal after an autoclave cycle?
- Use the instrument immediately since it was in the autoclave
- Re-sterilize the instrument in a new pouch (Correct answer)
- Wipe the pouch dry and place it in storage
- Discard only the pouch but keep the instruments
Correct answer: Re-sterilize the instrument in a new pouch
A compromised pouch seal may indicate sterilization failure or contamination; the instrument must be re-cleaned, re-packaged, and re-sterilized.
Question 7: Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which hepatitis B vaccination policy must employers follow?
- Employers must pay for and offer vaccination only to employees with direct patient contact
- Vaccination is optional and employees pay for it themselves
- Employers must offer vaccination at no cost to all employees with occupational exposure (Correct answer)
- Employers must mandate vaccination for all dental staff regardless of exposure risk
Correct answer: Employers must offer vaccination at no cost to all employees with occupational exposure
OSHA requires employers to offer hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
ADAP Infection Control 3
Which disinfectant level is required for semi-critical dental items that cannot be heat-sterilized?