Infection Control and Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real CMA 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
Which of the following pathogens requires the highest level of sterilization because it is resistant to standard disinfection methods?
Answer: Prions (misfolded proteins causing diseases like CJD)
Prions are extraordinarily resistant to conventional sterilization methods and require specialized decontamination protocols such as prolonged autoclaving at elevated temperatures.
A patient is placed on droplet precautions. At what distance must the patient be from others for droplet transmission to be considered a risk?
Answer: Within 6 feet (approximately 1–2 meters)
Droplet transmission occurs within approximately 6 feet (1–2 meters) because large respiratory droplets settle quickly under gravity and do not remain airborne.
What is the PASS acronym used for when operating a fire extinguisher?
Answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side to properly operate a fire extinguisher.
Which of the following items is classified as a critical medical device requiring sterilization before use?
Answer: Surgical scalpel
Critical devices such as surgical scalpels enter sterile body tissue or the vascular system and must be sterile to prevent infection.
Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, which employees must be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Answer: Employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
OSHA requires employers to offer the Hepatitis B vaccine series at no cost to employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
What is the purpose of a biological indicator (BI) in sterilization monitoring?
Answer: To confirm that viable microorganisms were destroyed during the sterilization cycle
A biological indicator contains highly resistant spores (typically Geobacillus stearothermophilus) that confirm all viable microorganisms were destroyed, providing the most definitive sterilization verification.
When a medical assistant receives a call about a potential chemical spill in the lab, the first action should be:
Answer: Evacuate the area and notify the appropriate personnel according to facility protocol
The first response to a chemical spill is to evacuate the affected area and notify the appropriate personnel (safety officer, supervisor) per facility protocol before any cleanup attempt.