MDRAO High-Level Disinfection

Question 1

High-level disinfection (HLD) is defined as the destruction of all microorganisms EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

High numbers of bacterial spores

Answer

HLD kills all microorganisms including vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses, but may not destroy high numbers of bacterial spores.

Question 2

According to the Spaulding classification, which category of medical devices requires at minimum high-level disinfection?

Accepted Answer

Semi-critical items

Answer

Semi-critical items contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin and require at minimum high-level disinfection.

Question 3

Which chemical agent has historically been the most widely used for high-level disinfection of flexible endoscopes?

Accepted Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Glutaraldehyde (e.g., Cidex) has been the most widely used HLD agent for flexible endoscopes due to its broad-spectrum activity and material compatibility.

Question 4

What does MEC stand for in the context of high-level disinfectant solutions?

Accepted Answer

Minimum Effective Concentration

Answer

MEC stands for Minimum Effective Concentration, the lowest concentration at which a disinfectant solution still achieves high-level disinfection.

Question 5

Why must items be thoroughly cleaned before high-level disinfection?

Accepted Answer

To remove organic material that can inactivate the disinfectant

Answer

Organic material such as blood and protein inactivates HLD agents, preventing them from contacting and killing microorganisms on device surfaces.

MDRAO - Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario Practice Test

MDRAO - Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario Practice Test

MDRAO High-Level Disinfection