RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of glove is NOT acceptable for use during patient examination and treatment procedures in dentistry?
- Nitrile examination gloves
- Vinyl examination gloves
- Latex examination gloves
- Household utility gloves used for patient care (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Household utility gloves used for patient care
Household utility gloves are intended for cleaning and disinfection tasks, not patient care; using them for treatment would be inappropriate and violate infection control standards.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) in dental infection control?
- It removes visible soil and blood from hands effectively
- It rapidly reduces microbial counts on hands when they are not visibly soiled (Correct answer)
- It replaces surgical hand scrubbing before invasive procedures
- It sterilizes the skin surface
Correct answer: It rapidly reduces microbial counts on hands when they are not visibly soiled
ABHR rapidly reduces transient microorganisms on hands that are not visibly soiled; when hands are visibly soiled, soap and water must be used instead.
Question 3: Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette in the dental waiting room includes which of the following?
- Asking all patients to wear N95 respirators upon entry
- Providing tissues, no-touch waste containers, and hand hygiene supplies at the front desk (Correct answer)
- Separating all patients with coughs into negative-pressure rooms
- Requiring patients to use antimicrobial mouthrinse only
Correct answer: Providing tissues, no-touch waste containers, and hand hygiene supplies at the front desk
Providing tissues, waste containers, and hand hygiene resources at the point of patient entry is the CDC-recommended respiratory hygiene strategy for preventing respiratory infection spread.
Question 4: Which statement about latex allergy in the dental setting is correct?
- Latex allergy only affects dental staff, never patients
- Dental teams must be prepared to manage latex allergy reactions and offer latex-free alternatives (Correct answer)
- Type IV latex hypersensitivity is the most life-threatening reaction type
- Latex gloves are still the preferred choice because of superior barrier protection
Correct answer: Dental teams must be prepared to manage latex allergy reactions and offer latex-free alternatives
Both patients and staff can have latex allergies, so dental offices must stock latex-free alternatives (nitrile, vinyl) and have protocols to manage allergic reactions.
Question 5: What is the minimum contact time required for most intermediate-level surface disinfectants to be effective?
- 10 seconds
- 30 seconds
- The wet contact time specified on the product label (usually 1–10 minutes) (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
Correct answer: The wet contact time specified on the product label (usually 1–10 minutes)
Disinfectants must remain wet on a surface for the contact time listed on their EPA-registered label to achieve the claimed level of disinfection.
Question 6: A dental assistant notices that the protective eyewear worn by a patient has visible blood on it after a procedure. The correct action is to:
- Wipe the eyewear with a dry paper towel and return it to the dispenser
- Discard the eyewear immediately
- Clean and disinfect with an intermediate-level disinfectant before reuse on the next patient (Correct answer)
- Rinse under tap water only
Correct answer: Clean and disinfect with an intermediate-level disinfectant before reuse on the next patient
Reusable patient eyewear must be cleaned to remove organic debris and then disinfected with an intermediate-level disinfectant before being used on the next patient.
Question 7: Which federal agency develops the bloodborne pathogen standard that dental offices must follow?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (Correct answer)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) is the enforceable federal regulation that dental employers must comply with to protect workers from exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 2
Which type of glove is NOT acceptable for use during patient examination and treatment procedures in dentistry?