CER Microbiology and Infection Control 2

Question 1

Which organism is MOST resistant to chemical disinfectants and requires sterilization to eliminate?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial endospores (Clostridium)

Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer

Hepatitis B virus

Question 2

A high-level disinfectant must be capable of killing all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Bacterial spores (all concentrations)

Answer

Vegetative bacteria

Answer

Mycobacteria

Answer

Lipid and non-lipid viruses

Question 3

Which term describes the number of viable organisms present on or in a device before reprocessing begins?

Accepted Answer

Bioburden

Answer

Biofilm

Answer

Colony count

Answer

Microbial load index

Question 4

What is the primary reason point-of-use pre-cleaning (bedside flushing) is critical in endoscope reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

It prevents biofilm formation by removing organic matter before it dries

Answer

It replaces the manual cleaning step

Answer

It disinfects the endoscope immediately after use

Answer

It satisfies OSHA bloodborne pathogen requirements

Question 5

Which type of hepatitis virus is classified as MOST resistant to chemical inactivation?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B

Answer

Hepatitis A

Answer

Hepatitis C

Answer

Hepatitis D

Question 6

In the context of infection control, what does the term 'reservoir' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The habitat where an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies

Answer

A storage container for disinfectants

Answer

The transport medium for culture specimens

Answer

A holding tank for used endoscopes

Question 7

Which reprocessing step is MOST critical for preventing transmission of prion diseases (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) via endoscopes?

Accepted Answer

Thorough manual cleaning to remove protein material

Answer

High-level disinfection with glutaraldehyde

Answer

Steam autoclave sterilization at standard settings

Answer

Exposure to 70% isopropyl alcohol