RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization publishes the 'Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings' that dental practices in the US must follow?
- OSHA
- CDC (Correct answer)
- ADA
- EPA
Correct answer: CDC
The CDC publishes the Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, which serve as the primary infection control standard for dental practices.
Question 2: When using a saliva ejector, which practice should be avoided to prevent backflow contamination?
- Using it with high-volume evacuation simultaneously
- Allowing the patient to close their lips around the tip (Correct answer)
- Removing it before the patient closes their mouth
- Rinsing it between uses during the same appointment
Correct answer: Allowing the patient to close their lips around the tip
Patients should not close their lips around the saliva ejector tip because this creates negative pressure that can draw previously suctioned fluids back into the patient's mouth.
Question 3: What does the term 'critical instrument' refer to in the Spaulding classification system?
- Any instrument used in the oral cavity
- Instruments that contact only intact mucous membranes
- Instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone (Correct answer)
- Instruments used exclusively for examination
Correct answer: Instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone
Critical instruments are those that penetrate soft tissue or bone and carry the highest risk of infection, requiring sterilization before each use.
Question 4: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) must be changed between patients regardless of visible soiling?
- Protective eyewear
- Clinic attire/scrubs
- Gloves (Correct answer)
- Face shield
Correct answer: Gloves
Gloves must be changed between each patient because they are single-use items and cannot be adequately decontaminated for reuse.
Question 5: How long should instruments be immersed in a chemical sterilant (cold sterilization) to achieve sterilization rather than just high-level disinfection?
- 15–30 minutes
- 1–3 hours
- 6–10 hours (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 6–10 hours
Achieving sterilization with chemical sterilants typically requires 6–10 hours of immersion, whereas shorter contact times achieve only high-level disinfection.
Question 6: A dental assistant notices the autoclave's biological indicator test shows growth after a cycle. What is the correct immediate action?
- Run one more cycle and retest before taking action
- Stop using the autoclave and remove all non-implantable items sterilized since the last negative test (Correct answer)
- Notify the dentist but continue using the autoclave for non-surgical procedures
- Recall only patients who received implant procedures
Correct answer: Stop using the autoclave and remove all non-implantable items sterilized since the last negative test
A positive biological indicator means the sterilizer failed; the autoclave must be removed from service immediately and all items sterilized since the last successful test must be recalled and resterilized.
Question 7: Which type of waste generated in dental offices is regulated by the EPA and must be disposed of in specific red biohazard containers?
- Extracted teeth with amalgam restorations
- Gauze with trace amounts of blood
- Sharps and items saturated with blood (Correct answer)
- Used prophy cups and brushes
Correct answer: Sharps and items saturated with blood
Regulated medical waste includes sharps and items saturated (not just lightly soiled) with blood or other potentially infectious materials, which must be placed in appropriate biohazard containers.
RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 4
Which organization publishes the 'Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings' that dental practices in the US must follow?