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Microbiology and Infection Control Flashcards

7 cards from real CSFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Microbiology and Infection Control flashcards as text

  1. Which class of microorganism is MOST resistant to standard sterilization methods and requires extended exposure times or special agents to destroy?

    Answer: Bacterial endospores

    Bacterial endospores (e.g., from Clostridium and Bacillus species) are the most resistant life forms and require sporicidal conditions such as autoclaving at 121°C for ≥15 minutes.

  2. A surgical site infection (SSI) occurring within 30 days of a procedure, involving only skin and subcutaneous tissue, is classified as:

    Answer: Superficial incisional SSI

    CDC defines a superficial incisional SSI as one occurring within 30 days, involving only skin or subcutaneous tissue at the incision site.

  3. When should the surgical hand antisepsis (surgical scrub) be performed?

    Answer: Before every surgical procedure, prior to gowning and gloving

    Surgical hand antisepsis must be performed before every procedure and before gowning and gloving to reduce transient and resident flora.

  4. Which of the following is an example of a prion-related disease relevant to surgical infection control?

    Answer: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

    Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is caused by prions — misfolded proteins that are resistant to standard sterilization — requiring special instrument handling protocols.

  5. In the OR, the zone considered the area of greatest microbial risk to an open wound is:

    Answer: Directly over and around the operative site

    The area directly over and around the operative site is most critical because airborne or contact contamination here directly threatens the open wound.

  6. Which antiseptic agent is contraindicated for use near the eyes, ears, and mucous membranes due to tissue toxicity?

    Answer: Chlorhexidine gluconate

    Chlorhexidine gluconate is ototoxic and can cause corneal damage, making it contraindicated near the eyes, ears, and mucous membranes.

  7. Which method is used to verify that a steam autoclave achieved proper sterilization conditions during a load?

    Answer: Biological indicator with Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores

    Biological indicators containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are the gold standard for confirming actual sterilization efficacy in steam autoclaves.