RDA Instrument Processing, Sterilization, and Monitoring 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of biological indicator contains spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus and is used to monitor steam autoclaves?
- Bacillus atrophaeus spore strip
- Geobacillus stearothermophilus ampule (Correct answer)
- Bacillus subtilis disk
- Clostridium sporogenes strip
Correct answer: Geobacillus stearothermophilus ampule
Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are the standard biological indicator for steam sterilization because they are highly resistant to moist heat.
Question 2: A dental assistant notices the sterilization pouch seal has partially opened after the cycle. What is the correct action?
- Use the instruments if the chemical indicator changed color
- Re-seal the pouch and use the instruments
- Repackage and re-sterilize the instruments (Correct answer)
- Wipe instruments with disinfectant and use them
Correct answer: Repackage and re-sterilize the instruments
A compromised seal means sterility cannot be guaranteed, so instruments must be repackaged and run through another sterilization cycle.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the 'decontamination zone' in instrument reprocessing?
- Final inspection of clean instruments before packaging
- Sterilization of instruments using heat or chemical agents
- Receiving and cleaning contaminated instruments to make them safe to handle (Correct answer)
- Storage of sterile packs until clinical use
Correct answer: Receiving and cleaning contaminated instruments to make them safe to handle
The decontamination zone is where contaminated instruments are received, sorted, and cleaned to remove bioburden before further processing.
Question 4: How often should biological indicator testing be performed on a steam autoclave in a dental office?
- Once a month
- At least weekly, or with every load containing implantable devices (Correct answer)
- Daily for all loads
- Once per year during equipment inspection
Correct answer: At least weekly, or with every load containing implantable devices
CDC guidelines recommend weekly spore testing of sterilizers, and every load containing implantable devices must be tested before use.
Question 5: Which instrument reprocessing step must occur BEFORE packaging instruments for sterilization?
- Running a biological indicator test
- Thorough drying of the instruments (Correct answer)
- Applying chemical vapor to the surfaces
- Placing instruments in the sterilizer unwrapped
Correct answer: Thorough drying of the instruments
Instruments must be thoroughly dried before packaging to prevent corrosion and to ensure sterilant penetration is not impeded by water.
Question 6: What does a Class 5 integrating indicator (integrator) measure?
- Only the presence of steam in the sterilizer chamber
- Temperature alone during the sterilization cycle
- All critical parameters: time, temperature, and steam presence (Correct answer)
- Whether the package seal is intact after sterilization
Correct answer: All critical parameters: time, temperature, and steam presence
Class 5 integrators respond to all critical sterilization parameters (time, temperature, and steam) and provide the closest performance to a biological indicator among chemical indicators.
Question 7: When using liquid chemical sterilants (cold sterilization) on heat-sensitive instruments, what is a major limitation compared to heat sterilization?
- It cannot kill bacterial endospores under any conditions
- It requires specialized biological indicators unavailable in dental offices
- Sterility cannot be maintained after rinsing because instruments cannot be packaged in sterile containers (Correct answer)
- It damages stainless steel instruments within two uses
Correct answer: Sterility cannot be maintained after rinsing because instruments cannot be packaged in sterile containers
After liquid chemical sterilization, instruments must be rinsed with sterile water and cannot be sealed in sterile packaging, so sterility cannot be maintained after processing.
RDA Instrument Processing, Sterilization, and Monitoring 4
Which type of biological indicator contains spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus and is used to monitor steam autoclaves?