Infection Control and Barrier Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real RDA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control and Barrier Techniques flashcards as text
What is the recommended pre-procedural mouthrinse for patients before a dental appointment to reduce microbial load in aerosols?
Answer: Antimicrobial mouthrinse such as 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate
A pre-procedural antimicrobial rinse (such as 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) significantly reduces the number of microorganisms expelled during aerosol-generating procedures.
When should a dental assistant's hepatitis B vaccination status be documented?
Answer: At the time of initial employment, prior to any potential exposure
OSHA requires employers to offer hepatitis B vaccination to all employees with occupational exposure at no cost and document vaccination status at the time of hire, before exposure occurs.
What is the correct procedure after an accidental needlestick injury in a dental office?
Answer: Squeeze out blood, wash thoroughly with soap and water, report to supervisor, and seek post-exposure medical evaluation
After a needlestick, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, the incident reported immediately, and a post-exposure evaluation pursued promptly to assess infection risk and treatment options.
Which item should be placed in a sharps container immediately after use in the dental setting?
Answer: Used local anesthetic needle
Used local anesthetic needles are sharps and must be placed directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use without recapping by two hands.
How should contaminated dental instruments be transported from the treatment room to the sterilization area?
Answer: In a covered or closed container to prevent exposure and accidental injury
Contaminated instruments must be transported in a closed or covered container to protect staff from accidental injury and prevent environmental contamination.
Regarding dental unit waterlines, what is the recommended colony-forming unit (CFU) standard for dental treatment water?
Answer: Less than 500 CFU/mL (CDC-recommended standard for dental water)
The CDC recommends that dental unit water used in patient care meet the EPA drinking water standard of ≤500 CFU/mL of heterotrophic bacteria, which requires regular waterline maintenance.
Which of the following best describes the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing in infection control?
Answer: Cleaning removes debris; disinfecting reduces but may not eliminate all microorganisms; sterilizing destroys all microbial life including spores
Cleaning (physical removal of debris), disinfecting (reducing microbial load), and sterilizing (destroying all microorganisms including spores) are three distinct processes applied based on the risk level of the item.