Infection Control and Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real ADEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control and Safety flashcards as text
Latex hypersensitivity in dental patients is best managed by:
Answer: Using latex-free gloves and latex-free equipment throughout treatment
Latex-allergic patients require a completely latex-free environment, including gloves, dams, and any other latex-containing materials.
Which sterilization method is appropriate for heat-sensitive items that cannot withstand autoclaving?
Answer: Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is effective for heat- and moisture-sensitive instruments, though it requires long aeration times and has special handling requirements.
Regulated medical waste in a dental office includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Used saliva ejectors
Used saliva ejectors are generally not classified as regulated medical waste unless saturated with blood; they are typically disposed of as regular trash.
The term 'standard precautions' replaced 'universal precautions' primarily to emphasize that:
Answer: All blood and most body fluids from all patients should be treated as potentially infectious
Standard precautions expanded universal precautions to cover all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes regardless of a patient's known infection status.
When performing dental radiography, infection control requires that:
Answer: The X-ray unit head, controls, and chair must be covered with barriers or disinfected between patients
All surfaces touched during radiography — including tube head, control panel, and positioning devices — must be barrier-protected or disinfected between patients.
Instruments packaged before sterilization should be stored in a manner that:
Answer: Protects packages from moisture, dust, and puncture until point of use
Sterile packages must be stored in a clean, dry, protected environment to maintain package integrity and the event-related sterility concept.
A dental hygienist develops a rash on her hands after extended glove use. The most appropriate next step is:
Answer: Consult a physician and consider allergy testing for latex or glove materials
A rash after glove use may indicate latex allergy or irritant/allergic contact dermatitis and requires medical evaluation and potential allergy testing.