ICE Infection Prevention & Sterilization Flashcards
6 cards from real DANB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ICE Infection Prevention & Sterilization flashcards as text
According to the Spaulding classification, which categories of dental instruments require sterilization?
Answer: Semi-critical and critical items
Both critical items (penetrate tissue/bone) and semi-critical items (contact mucous membranes) require sterilization. Heat-sensitive semi-critical items need high-level disinfection at minimum.
What is the correct order of the instrument reprocessing workflow?
Answer: Transport, Cleaning, Rinsing/Inspection, Packaging, Sterilization, Storage
The unidirectional flow prevents cross-contamination: transport from point of use through cleaning, inspection, packaging, sterilization, to sterile storage.
What distinguishes high-level disinfection from sterilization?
Answer: High-level disinfection kills all organisms except high numbers of bacterial spores; sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores
Sterilization eliminates ALL microbial life including all bacterial spores. High-level disinfection eliminates most but not necessarily all spores in high numbers.
Which chemical indicator class should be placed inside every sterilization package?
Answer: Class 4 (multi-variable) or Class 5 (integrating) internal indicator
Internal Class 4 or Class 5 indicators verify that the sterilant actually penetrated the packaging and reached the instruments inside.
What is flash sterilization and when is it appropriate in a dental office?
Answer: An abbreviated cycle for unwrapped instruments needed urgently, not for routine use or implantable items
Immediate-use steam sterilization is a shortened cycle for emergencies when no sterile spare is available. Not for routine use, convenience, or implantable devices.
How should heat-sensitive semi-critical dental items be reprocessed?
Answer: High-level disinfection using FDA-cleared chemical at specified contact time
Heat-sensitive semi-critical items require high-level disinfection with FDA-cleared solutions like glutaraldehyde or OPA at manufacturer-specified times.