RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques

Question 1

Which category of personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn by dental assistants during all procedures that may generate aerosols or splatter?

Accepted Answer

Gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and gown

Answer

OSHA requires gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and a gown (or clinic attire) during procedures generating aerosols or splatter to protect from blood-borne pathogens and infectious materials.

Question 2

According to CDC guidelines, when should a dental assistant change gloves during patient care?

Accepted Answer

Between every patient and whenever gloves are torn or contaminated

Answer

Gloves must be changed between every patient and whenever they become torn, punctured, or otherwise compromised to prevent cross-contamination.

Question 3

What is the correct sequence for hand hygiene when putting on sterile gloves for a surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

Surgical hand scrub → dry hands → don gloves

Answer

Hands must be surgically scrubbed and completely dried before donning sterile surgical gloves to maintain asepsis and prevent glove contamination.

Question 4

Which of the following is classified as a 'critical item' under Spaulding's classification system?

Accepted Answer

Surgical forceps that contact bone

Answer

Critical items penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be sterilized; surgical forceps that contact bone are a prime example of a critical item.

Question 5

What does the term 'Standard Precautions' mean in the dental setting?

Accepted Answer

Treating blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin from ALL patients as potentially infectious

Answer

Standard Precautions require treating all patients' blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious regardless of known diagnosis, reducing cross-infection risk.

(RDA) Registered Dental Assistant Practice Test

(RDA) Registered Dental Assistant Practice Test

RDA Infection Control and Barrier Techniques