Infection Prevention and Microbiology Flashcards

The effectiveness of chemical disinfectants can be reduced by the presence of:

Answer: Organic matter such as blood or soil

Organic matter consumes and inactivates chemical disinfectants, significantly reducing their germicidal effectiveness.

Which CDC isolation category requires a private room and special air handling with negative pressure?

Answer: Airborne Infection Isolation

Airborne Infection Isolation requires negative pressure rooms to prevent airborne particles from spreading pathogens like M. tuberculosis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is primarily a concern because it:

Answer: Is resistant to many common antibiotics used to treat infections

MRSA's resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and other common antimicrobials makes infections significantly harder to treat.

During the decontamination process, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be removed in which order?

Answer: Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection

Gloves are removed first because they are the most contaminated item, followed by gown, mask, and eye protection to prevent self-contamination.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'sterility assurance level' (SAL)?

Answer: The probability that a single unit is NOT sterile after processing

SAL is expressed as the probability (e.g., 10⁻⁶) that a single item is contaminated after sterilization processing.

Fungi that cause healthcare-associated infections typically affect which patient population MOST severely?

Answer: Immunocompromised patients

Immunocompromised patients (e.g., transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients) are at greatest risk for serious fungal infections.

Which factor MOST directly influences the microbial kill rate during the sterilization process?

Answer: Contact time, temperature, and concentration of the sterilizing agent

Sterilization efficacy depends on adequate contact time, appropriate temperature, and sufficient concentration of the sterilizing agent.