NBDHE NBDHE Infection Control and Sterilization 3

Question 1

What is the FIRST recommended action following a needlestick or sharps injury in dental practice?

Accepted Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water

Answer

The CDC recommends immediately washing needlestick injuries with soap and water as the first step in post-exposure management.

Question 2

When reprocessing contaminated dental instruments, which combination of PPE is REQUIRED?

Accepted Answer

Utility gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and gown

Answer

Instrument reprocessing requires utility (heavy-duty) gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and a gown due to risks from splatter, aerosols, and sharps injuries.

Question 3

The Spaulding classification system divides patient-care items into how many risk categories?

Accepted Answer

Three (critical, semicritical, noncritical)

Answer

The Spaulding system uses three categories — critical, semicritical, and noncritical — to guide the appropriate level of reprocessing for dental instruments.

Question 4

Immediate-use steam sterilization (formerly called 'flash sterilization') should be used:

Accepted Answer

As a last resort for instruments dropped and needed immediately

Answer

Immediate-use steam sterilization should only be used as a last resort for dropped instruments that are urgently needed, not for routine instrument reprocessing.

Question 5

N95 respirators are indicated over surgical masks when performing:

Accepted Answer

Aerosol-generating procedures on patients with suspected tuberculosis or airborne infections

Answer

N95 respirators, filtering 95% of airborne particles, are required during aerosol-generating procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed airborne infections such as tuberculosis.

NBDHE Test Practice Test

NBDHE Test Practice Test

NBDHE NBDHE Infection Control and Sterilization 3