Infection Control & Sanitation Flashcards
7 cards from real CMI 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 & Sanitation flashcards as text
What is the primary difference between sanitizing and disinfecting a surface?
Answer: Sanitizing reduces microbial counts to safe levels while disinfecting kills a broader spectrum of pathogens
Sanitizing reduces microbial populations to levels considered safe by public health standards, while disinfecting kills a much broader and more complete range of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
What does 'dwell time' (also called contact time) mean when applying a disinfectant?
Answer: The duration the disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to achieve its labeled kill claims
Dwell time is the period the disinfectant must remain visibly wet on the surface to kill the pathogens listed on its EPA-registered label.
Which of the following pathogens is generally considered the MOST difficult to eliminate with standard disinfectants?
Answer: Clostridium difficile (C. diff) spores
C. diff spores are highly resistant to most standard disinfectants and typically require EPA-registered sporicidal agents such as bleach-based products to be effectively eliminated.
What is the correct order of steps for infection control cleaning of a surface?
Answer: Clean (remove soil), then apply disinfectant and allow dwell time
Organic matter and soil can inactivate disinfectants, so surfaces must be cleaned first to remove debris before applying a disinfectant and allowing adequate dwell time.
Cross-contamination in cleaning operations refers to:
Answer: Transferring pathogens from one surface or area to another via cleaning tools or cloths
Cross-contamination occurs when microorganisms are inadvertently spread from a contaminated surface to a clean one through tools, cloths, or hands used without proper precautions.
Which of the following disinfectants is most effective against norovirus on hard non-porous surfaces?
Answer: EPA-registered bleach-based disinfectants with norovirus kill claims
Norovirus is a non-enveloped virus resistant to many common disinfectants; EPA-registered bleach-based products with specific norovirus kill claims on the label are most reliably effective.
What does the EPA registration number on a disinfectant product label indicate?
Answer: That the EPA has evaluated and approved the product's efficacy and safety claims
An EPA registration number confirms that the product's claims—including which pathogens it kills and under what conditions—have been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.