CER Microbiology and Infection Control Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Which type of microorganism is MOST resistant to chemical disinfectants and requires sterilization rather than HLD for complete elimination?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial spores such as Clostridioides difficile spores

Answer

Vegetative bacteria such as E. coli

Answer

Enveloped viruses such as hepatitis B

Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 2

What is the mechanism by which Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes endoscope-associated infections?

Accepted Answer

It thrives in water systems and biofilms within channels, and can survive and multiply in residual water in improperly dried or stored scopes

Answer

It forms spores that resist all disinfectants

Answer

It is resistant to peracetic acid sterilization

Answer

It is only found in immunocompromised patients

Question 3

What is 'standard precautions' and how does it apply to endoscope reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

A set of infection prevention practices applied to ALL patients regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious

Answer

A set of precautions applied only to patients with known infections

Answer

Precautions required only in ICU settings

Answer

Precautions for handling only sharps

Question 4

Which hepatitis virus is most resistant to chemical disinfectants and requires specific attention during endoscope reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Answer

Hepatitis A (HAV)

Answer

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Answer

Hepatitis D (HDV)

Question 5

What is 'transmission-based precautions' and when is it relevant to endoscopy staff?

Accepted Answer

Additional precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) layered over standard precautions for patients with specific known or suspected infections

Answer

An alternative to standard precautions used for routine patients

Answer

Precautions required for all procedures

Answer

Precautions used only in the ICU

Question 6

What is the significance of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the context of endoscope reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

MDROs (MRSA, CRE, VRE) can be transmitted via inadequately reprocessed endoscopes and are difficult to treat once infection occurs

Answer

MDROs are less virulent than drug-susceptible organisms

Answer

MDROs are destroyed by all HLD agents at lower concentrations

Answer

MDROs only affect immunocompromised patients