NCMA Infection Control & Sterilization 2

Question 1

Steam autoclave sterilization is effective because it uses:

Accepted Answer

Saturated steam under pressure at 121°C (250°F)

Answer

Dry heat at 320°F for 2 hours

Answer

Ethylene oxide gas at room temperature

Answer

Ultraviolet radiation for 30 minutes

Question 2

Which chemical indicator confirms that a package has been exposed to the sterilization process?

Accepted Answer

Chemical indicator tape

Answer

Biological indicator

Answer

Mechanical indicator

Answer

Color change strip inside the pack

Question 3

Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization is preferred for which type of item?

Accepted Answer

Heat-sensitive equipment such as endoscopes and plastics

Answer

Stainless steel surgical instruments

Answer

Linen and cloth items

Answer

Glass bottles and vials

Question 4

The Spaulding Classification categorizes medical instruments into three groups. Which category requires sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Critical items

Answer

Non-critical items

Answer

Semi-critical items

Answer

All of the above

Question 5

How long should a medical assistant scrub their hands using the surgical hand scrub technique?

Accepted Answer

3–5 minutes

Answer

15 seconds

Answer

1 minute

Answer

30 seconds

Question 6

Which organism is most commonly associated with healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) transmitted via contaminated hands?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer

Clostridium tetani

Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Varicella-zoster virus

Question 7

When cleaning a contaminated exam table, the medical assistant should use a disinfectant that is registered as:

Accepted Answer

EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant

Answer

FDA-approved cleaning solution

Answer

OSHA-certified germicide

Answer

Any commercial bleach product