NDHCE Infection Control and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CDC guideline category covers procedures for decontamination of environmental surfaces in the dental operatory?
- Standard Precautions (Correct answer)
- Transmission-Based Precautions
- Surface Disinfection Protocols
- Respiratory Hygiene Guidelines
Correct answer: Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions encompass all practices used to prevent transmission of infectious diseases, including surface decontamination procedures in clinical areas.
Question 2: A dental hygienist discovers that the autoclave failed its weekly spore test. What is the appropriate next step?
- Continue using the autoclave and repeat the test next week
- Remove the autoclave from service, recall possibly non-sterile instruments, and contact the manufacturer (Correct answer)
- Increase the temperature setting and retest immediately
- Switch to chemical disinfection instead
Correct answer: Remove the autoclave from service, recall possibly non-sterile instruments, and contact the manufacturer
A failed spore test indicates the autoclave did not achieve sterilization; it must be taken out of service, and instruments processed since the last successful test must be retrieved and re-sterilized.
Question 3: Which hepatitis virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and does NOT become chronic?
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Hepatitis A (HAV) (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis D (HDV)
Correct answer: Hepatitis A (HAV)
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, causes acute self-limiting illness, and does not lead to chronic infection.
Question 4: Which of the following disinfectants is effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is classified as an intermediate-level disinfectant?
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- 70–90% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol
- Bleach (diluted sodium hypochlorite) (Correct answer)
- Iodophor compounds
Correct answer: Bleach (diluted sodium hypochlorite)
Diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach, 1:10 dilution) is an EPA-registered intermediate-level disinfectant effective against M. tuberculosis, HBV, HIV, and most bacteria.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Exposure Control Plan must be reviewed and updated at least:
- Every 5 years
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Only when regulations change
Correct answer: Annually
OSHA requires the Exposure Control Plan to be reviewed and updated at least annually, and whenever new procedures or tasks are added.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of using surface barriers (e.g., plastic covers) in the dental operatory?
- To replace the need for surface disinfection
- To protect surfaces that are difficult to clean and disinfect from contamination (Correct answer)
- To reduce radiation exposure during X-rays
- To prevent chemical disinfectant from damaging equipment
Correct answer: To protect surfaces that are difficult to clean and disinfect from contamination
Surface barriers protect surfaces such as light handles, keyboard covers, and chair controls that are difficult to clean, and are changed between patients to prevent cross-contamination.
NDHCE Infection Control and Safety 2
Which CDC guideline category covers procedures for decontamination of environmental surfaces in the dental operatory?