ADEX Dental Hygiene Infection Control and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

A dental hygienist sustains a percutaneous injury with a contaminated scaler immediately after treating a patient.
According to CDC guidelines, what is the IMMEDIATE first step the hygienist should take?

Accepted Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.

Answer

Seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) from a designated medical provider.

Answer

Report the incident to the office's infection control coordinator.

Answer

Gently squeeze the wound to express any potential contaminants.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered the most definitive or 'gold standard' method for verifying the effectiveness of a sterilization cycle?

Accepted Answer

Biological indicators (spore tests)

Answer

Internal chemical indicators placed inside each package

Answer

External chemical indicators on the outside of each package

Answer

Mechanical monitoring of time, temperature, and pressure gauges

Question 3

An environmental surface disinfectant is classified by the EPA as intermediate-level. Which of the following properties is required for this classification?

Accepted Answer

It must have a tuberculocidal claim.

Answer

It must be sporicidal.

Answer

It must be safe for use on all dental materials without causing damage.

Answer

It must be effective against non-enveloped viruses only.

Question 4

A dental hygienist is preparing to perform a procedure that is expected to generate significant aerosols. According to CDC guidelines for standard precautions, what is the correct sequence for donning (putting on) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Accepted Answer

Gown, Mask, Eyewear, Gloves

Answer

Mask, Gown, Eyewear, Gloves

Answer

Gloves, Gown, Mask, Eyewear

Answer

Eyewear, Gown, Mask, Gloves

Question 5

According to the CDC, what is the maximum acceptable level of heterotrophic bacteria, measured in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), for routine dental treatment water?

Accepted Answer

500 CFU/mL

Answer

100 CFU/mL

Answer

200 CFU/mL

Answer

1000 CFU/mL

Question 6

Which of the following items used during a dental hygiene appointment MUST be disposed of in a designated sharps container, even if it is intact?

Accepted Answer

A used local anesthetic cartridge

Answer

A saliva-soaked 2x2 gauze pad

Answer

A used disposable plastic air/water syringe tip

Answer

An extracted tooth without an amalgam restoration

A dental hygienist sustains a percutaneous injury with a contaminated scaler immediately after treating a patient.According to CDC guidelines, what is the IMMEDIATE first step the hygienist should take?

A dental hygienist sustains a percutaneous injury with a contaminated scaler immediately after treating a patient.
According to CDC guidelines, what is the IMMEDIATE first step the hygienist should take?