RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum water temperature required when washing hands with soap and water to achieve effective hand hygiene?
- Cold water is acceptable if soap is used for at least 60 seconds
- Warm water should be used, but temperature is not the primary factor (Correct answer)
- Hot water above 120°F is required to kill pathogens
- Sterile water must always be used in dental settings
Correct answer: Warm water should be used, but temperature is not the primary factor
Warm water combined with proper handwashing technique (at least 20 seconds) is effective; water temperature alone does not determine pathogen elimination—technique and duration are the primary factors.
Question 2: Which surface barrier material is NOT appropriate for use on dental unit surfaces during patient treatment?
- Clear plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Paper toweling (Correct answer)
- Polyethylene bags
Correct answer: Paper toweling
Paper toweling is not an appropriate surface barrier because it is porous and can absorb fluids, allowing contamination to reach the surface underneath.
Question 3: During instrument processing, what is the purpose of the ultrasonic cleaner before sterilization?
- To achieve high-level disinfection of critical instruments
- To remove bioburden and debris that could shield microorganisms during sterilization (Correct answer)
- To sterilize instruments that cannot withstand heat
- To test instruments for integrity before packaging
Correct answer: To remove bioburden and debris that could shield microorganisms during sterilization
Ultrasonic cleaning removes bioburden and debris from instruments; organic material can shield microorganisms from sterilizing agents, so cleaning is essential before sterilization.
Question 4: A patient's medical history reveals they are HBV surface antigen positive. What infection control changes should be made for their appointment?
- The patient must be seen at the end of the day to allow extra time for disinfection
- Standard precautions already account for this; no additional changes are required (Correct answer)
- Double-gloving and N95 respirators are required for all procedures
- The patient should be referred to a specialist facility
Correct answer: Standard precautions already account for this; no additional changes are required
Standard precautions are designed to treat all patients as potentially infectious, so an HBV-positive patient requires no additional infection control measures beyond routine standard precautions.
Question 5: Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive items such as rubber dam materials and certain plastic instruments?
- Steam autoclave at 250°F
- Dry heat oven at 320°F
- Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization (Correct answer)
- Glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes
Correct answer: Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
Ethylene oxide gas sterilization operates at low temperatures and is suitable for heat-sensitive items that would be damaged by steam or dry heat sterilization.
Question 6: What is the correct sequence for donning (putting on) PPE before patient care?
- Gloves → mask → protective eyewear → gown
- Gown → mask → protective eyewear → gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask → gown → gloves → protective eyewear
- Protective eyewear → gown → gloves → mask
Correct answer: Gown → mask → protective eyewear → gloves
The correct donning sequence is gown first, then mask, then protective eyewear, and finally gloves last so that gloves cover the gown cuffs and are the last barrier applied.
Question 7: When recapping a needle after administering a local anesthetic, which technique must be used to prevent needlestick injuries?
- Two-handed scoop technique using both hands
- One-handed scoop technique using the needle to pick up the cap
- A resheathing device or needle holder must be used
- Either the one-handed scoop or a resheathing device is acceptable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Either the one-handed scoop or a resheathing device is acceptable
OSHA and CDC guidelines accept both the one-handed scoop technique and the use of a mechanical recapping device as safe alternatives to the prohibited two-handed recapping method.
RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques 5
What is the minimum water temperature required when washing hands with soap and water to achieve effective hand hygiene?