COST Aseptic Techniques & Infection Control 3

Question 1

A patient has diffuse limbus-to-limbus corneal edema and anterior chamber inflammation 18 hours after an uneventful cataract surgery, with little pain. Which condition is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS)

Answer

TASS usually appears within 12-48 hours as sterile anterior inflammation with diffuse corneal edema.

Question 2

Which of the following is a recognized cause of TASS linked to instrument reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

Residual enzymatic detergent left on instruments

Answer

Detergent residue, endotoxins, and denatured viscoelastic left in instruments are classic causes of TASS.

Question 3

What is the most common source of organisms causing postoperative endophthalmitis?

Accepted Answer

The patient's own eyelid and conjunctival flora

Answer

Most cases come from the patient's periocular flora, especially coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Question 4

Which preoperative measure has the strongest evidence for lowering the risk of endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery?

Accepted Answer

Topical povidone-iodine 5% in the conjunctival sac

Answer

Applying povidone-iodine 5% to the ocular surface is the best-supported antiseptic prophylaxis.

Question 5

A patient reports a shellfish allergy before ophthalmic surgery. What does this mean for povidone-iodine prep?

Accepted Answer

It is not a true contraindication to povidone-iodine

Answer

Shellfish allergy is not cross-reactive with povidone-iodine, so the prep is generally still appropriate.

COST - Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Technologist Practice Test

COST - Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Technologist Practice Test

COST Aseptic Techniques & Infection Control 3