Microbiology and Infection Control Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real CER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Microbiology and Infection Control Questions and Answers flashcards as text
Which type of microorganism is MOST resistant to chemical disinfectants and requires sterilization rather than HLD for complete elimination?
Answer: Bacterial spores such as Clostridioides difficile spores
Bacterial spores are the most resistant form of microbial life and are not reliably eliminated by most HLD agents used in endoscopy.
What is the mechanism by which Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes endoscope-associated infections?
Answer: It thrives in water systems and biofilms within channels, and can survive and multiply in residual water in improperly dried or stored scopes
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a waterborne pathogen that colonizes wet channels and water systems, and can be transmitted via inadequately dried or reprocessed endoscopes.
What is 'standard precautions' and how does it apply to endoscope reprocessing?
Answer: A set of infection prevention practices applied to ALL patients regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious
Standard precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, requiring consistent use of PPE and safe handling practices for all endoscopes.
Which hepatitis virus is most resistant to chemical disinfectants and requires specific attention during endoscope reprocessing?
Answer: Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B virus is more resistant to chemical inactivation than HCV and requires HLD-level reprocessing at minimum for endoscopes.
What is 'transmission-based precautions' and when is it relevant to endoscopy staff?
Answer: Additional precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) layered over standard precautions for patients with specific known or suspected infections
Transmission-based precautions are additional layers applied when a patient has or is suspected of having a specific communicable infection.
What is the significance of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the context of endoscope reprocessing?
Answer: MDROs (MRSA, CRE, VRE) can be transmitted via inadequately reprocessed endoscopes and are difficult to treat once infection occurs
MDROs are defined by antibiotic resistance, not by resistance to disinfectants; they can be transmitted via reprocessing failures and cause hard-to-treat infections.