DANB Chemical Disinfectants & Sterilants Flashcards
7 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 7 DANB Chemical Disinfectants & Sterilants flashcards as text
What is the recommended concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfection of clinical contact surfaces in dental settings?
Answer: 1:10 dilution (1,000–5,000 ppm)
A 1:10 dilution of household bleach (approximately 1,000–5,000 ppm available chlorine) is recommended for disinfecting dental clinical contact surfaces.
Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is considered advantageous over glutaraldehyde primarily because:
Answer: It is less irritating to eyes and nasal passages
OPA produces less vapor and is less irritating to mucous membranes than glutaraldehyde, making it safer for clinical use while still providing high-level disinfection.
Alcohol-based disinfectants (e.g., 70% isopropyl alcohol) are most effective against which category of microorganisms?
Answer: Lipid-enveloped viruses and vegetative bacteria
Alcohols are effective against lipid-enveloped viruses (e.g., HIV, HBV) and vegetative bacteria but are not sporicidal and have limited activity against non-enveloped viruses.
Which statement correctly distinguishes a disinfectant from a sterilant?
Answer: Sterilants destroy all microbial life including spores; disinfectants do not
Sterilants destroy all forms of microbial life including highly resistant bacterial spores, while disinfectants reduce microbial load but may not eliminate spores.
EPA-registered hospital disinfectants used on clinical contact surfaces in dental offices must carry which specific label claim?
Answer: Tuberculocidal
CDC guidelines specify that EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with a tuberculocidal claim are appropriate for clinical contact surfaces because M. tuberculosis serves as a benchmark for intermediate-level disinfection.
What is the primary purpose of pre-cleaning instruments and surfaces before applying a disinfectant?
Answer: To remove organic matter that inactivates disinfectants
Organic matter such as blood, saliva, and biofilm can inactivate or significantly reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants, so pre-cleaning is essential before disinfection.
Phenolic compounds used as disinfectants in dental settings are classified at which level?
Answer: Intermediate-level
Phenolic compounds are intermediate-level disinfectants effective against mycobacteria, bacteria, most viruses, and fungi, making them suitable for clinical contact surfaces.