Question 1

Which of the following is a problem when using a liquid chemical sterilant on heat-sensitive instruments?

Accepted Answer

A) These sterilants require at least 24 hours of contact time. 
B) These sterilants destroy all plastic items. 
C) These sterilants cannot be spore-tested. 
D) These sterilants are all glutaraldehydes. 
A) These sterilants require at least 24 hours of contact time. 
B) These sterilants destroy all plastic items. 
C) These sterilants cannot be spore-tested. 
D) These sterilants are all glutaraldehydes. C

Question 2

What are the three main areas in a sterilizing facility?

Accepted Answer

A) Holding, rust control, sterilization, and storage 
B) Decontamination, monitoring, storage 
C) Waste disposal, sterilization and storage, monitoring 
D) Decontamination, packaging, sterilization, and storage 
A) Holding, rust control, sterilization, and storage 
B) Decontamination, monitoring, storage 
C) Waste disposal, sterilization and storage, monitoring 
D) Decontamination, packaging, sterilization, and storage D

Question 3

What is sterility assurance?

Accepted Answer

A) Using liquid sterilants on critical instruments with a submersion time of 20 hours 
B) The correct performance of the proper instrument processing steps and monitoring of the sterilization step 
C) The proper use of personal protective equipment when processing contaminated instruments 
D) Managing the office infection control program so that no sharps injuries occur 
A) Using liquid sterilants on critical instruments with a submersion time of 20 hours 
B) The correct performance of the proper instrument processing steps and monitoring of the sterilization step 
C) The proper use of personal protective equipment when processing contaminated instruments 
D) Managing the office infection control program so that no sharps injuries occur B

Question 4

What is the rationale for the packaging step as part of instrument processing?

Accepted Answer

A) To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work 
B) To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing 
C) To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing 
D) To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying 
A) To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work 
B) To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing 
C) To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing 
D) To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying

Question 5

There are two reasons why packages of instruments should be allowed to dry inside the steam sterilizer before they are handled.One reason is because wet paper can easily tear when handled.The other is because:

Accepted Answer

A) of wicking. 
B) the colors of chemical indicators can be seen only on a dry package. 
C) wet instruments will have more water spots on them. 
D) the killing of the microbes is not yet complete until after the dry cycle. 
A) of wicking. 
B) the colors of chemical indicators can be seen only on a dry package. 
C) wet instruments will have more water spots on them. 
D) the killing of the microbes is not yet complete until after the dry cycle.

Question 6

The goal of instrument processing is to:

Accepted Answer

A) provide sterile instruments at chairside for use on a subsequent patient. 
B) sterilize contaminated instruments. 
C) clean instruments free of visible debris. 
D) eliminate water spots. 
A) provide sterile instruments at chairside for use on a subsequent patient. 
B) sterilize contaminated instruments. 
C) clean instruments free of visible debris. 
D) eliminate water spots.

Question 7

During instrument processing, what is the reason for sterilizing instruments?

Accepted Answer

A) To remove all visible debris from the instruments 
B) To protect the instruments after they are removed from the sterilizer 
C) To kill all remaining microbes on the instruments after they have been cleaned 
D) To make the instruments easier to clean 
A) To remove all visible debris from the instruments 
B) To protect the instruments after they are removed from the sterilizer 
C) To kill all remaining microbes on the instruments after they have been cleaned 
D) To make the instruments easier to clean

Question 8

What is the rationale for the holding step as part of instrument processing?

Accepted Answer

A) To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work 
B) To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing 
C) To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing 
D) To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying 
A) To remove as much of the bioburden as possible to give the sterilization step the best chance to work 
B) To help ensure the proper functioning of the instruments after instrument processing 
C) To help maintain sterility of the instruments after instrument processing 
D) To facilitate the cleaning process by keeping the debris on the instruments from drying

Question 9

How would you sterilize a plastic, reusable, rubber dam frame that melts at 100° C (212° F)?

Accepted Answer

A) Steam sterilizer 
B) Liquid chemical sterilant 
C) Dry heat sterilizer 
D) Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer 
A) Steam sterilizer 
B) Liquid chemical sterilant 
C) Dry heat sterilizer 
D) Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer

Question 10

Why is it important to let instruments packaged in paper/plastic pouches, paper bags, or sterilization wrap dry inside the steam sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A) To complete the killing of microbes that may have survived the sterilization process 
B) To minimize tearing of packaging materials when handling the sterilized items and to avoid wicking 
C) To prevent water spots from appearing on the instruments 
D) To let the chemical indicators fully turn the appropriate color 
A) To complete the killing of microbes that may have survived the sterilization process 
B) To minimize tearing of packaging materials when handling the sterilized items and to avoid wicking 
C) To prevent water spots from appearing on the instruments 
D) To let the chemical indicators fully turn the appropriate color

Question 11

Which of the following sterilization methods lead to corrosion (e.g., rusting) of carbon steel instruments?

Accepted Answer

A) Steam 
B) Dry heat 
C) Unsaturated chemical vapor 
D) Dry heat and steam 
A) Steam 
B) Dry heat 
C) Unsaturated chemical vapor 
D) Dry heat and steam

Question 12

Sterilization is best defined as a process:

Accepted Answer

A) designed to kill microbes present in the mouth. 
B) intended to kill all microbes. 
C) designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores. 
D) designed to kill microbes present on the skin. 
A) designed to kill microbes present in the mouth. 
B) intended to kill all microbes. 
C) designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores. 
D) designed to kill microbes present on the skin.

Question 13

What is the main reason why cloth (e.g., towels, denim) should not be used as a sterilization wrap?

Accepted Answer

A) It is too expensive. 
B) It is not a good microbe barrier. 
C) It is too difficult to store. 
D) It is too difficult to launder. 
A) It is too expensive. 
B) It is not a good microbe barrier. 
C) It is too difficult to store. 
D) It is too difficult to launder.

Question 14

Disinfection is best defined as a process:

Accepted Answer

A) designed to kill microbes present in the mouth. 
B) intended to kill all microbes. 
C) designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores. 
D) designed to kill microbes present on the skin. 
A) designed to kill microbes present in the mouth. 
B) intended to kill all microbes. 
C) designed to kill all disease-producing microns but not necessarily a high level of bacterial spores. 
D) designed to kill microbes present on the skin.

Question 15

Spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus are used in biological indicators to monitor:

Accepted Answer

A) dry heat and steam sterilizers. 
B) dry heat and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers. 
C) steam and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers. 
D) dry heat, steam, and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers. 
A) dry heat and steam sterilizers. 
B) dry heat and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers. 
C) steam and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers. 
D) dry heat, steam, and unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers.

Question 16

Why should heavy and/or sharp instruments not be packaged in paper bags for steam sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A) These bags are too difficult to open after sterilization. 
B) The bags will get wet during sterilization, and the instruments may puncture the bag or the bag may easily tear. 
C) These bags are not good microbial barriers, so they give little protection to the instruments inside after sterilization. 
D) These bags cannot be adequately sealed before sterilization. 
A) These bags are too difficult to open after sterilization. 
B) The bags will get wet during sterilization, and the instruments may puncture the bag or the bag may easily tear. 
C) These bags are not good microbial barriers, so they give little protection to the instruments inside after sterilization. 
D) These bags cannot be adequately sealed before sterilization.

Question 17

According to the CDC, critical instruments are those that:

Accepted Answer

A) penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue. 
B) contact mucous membranes but do not penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue. 
C) contact the skin. 
D) are very expensive and in short supply. 
A) penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue. 
B) contact mucous membranes but do not penetrate soft tissue, contact bone, enter into or contact the bloodstream or other normally sterile tissue. 
C) contact the skin. 
D) are very expensive and in short supply.

Question 18

A system of storage of sterilized instrument packages that recognizes a package's contents should remain sterile until some event causes items inside to become contaminated is correctly referred to as event-_____ storage.

Accepted Answer

A) horizon 
B) occurrence 
C) related 
D) entitled 
A) horizon 
B) occurrence 
C) related 
D) entitled

Question 19

According to the CDC, how should critical instruments be prepared for use?

Accepted Answer

A) Thoroughly wiped down with alcohol 
B) Processed with high-level disinfection 
C) Sterilized in an ultrasonic cleaner 
D) Heat sterilized 
A) Thoroughly wiped down with alcohol 
B) Processed with high-level disinfection 
C) Sterilized in an ultrasonic cleaner 
D) Heat sterilized

Question 20

What is the main concern or precaution with using an unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A) There is no biological indicator that can be used to monitor this sterilization process. 
B) It has a long sterilization time. 
C) It causes corrosion of carbon steel instruments. 
D) It requires the purchase and use of a special chemical sterilizing solution. 
A) There is no biological indicator that can be used to monitor this sterilization process. 
B) It has a long sterilization time. 
C) It causes corrosion of carbon steel instruments. 
D) It requires the purchase and use of a special chemical sterilizing solution.

Exam 12: Instrument Processing

Which of the following is a problem when using a liquid chemical sterilant on heat-sensitive instruments?

What are the three main areas in a sterilizing facility?

What is sterility assurance?

What is the rationale for the packaging step as part of instrument processing?

There are two reasons why packages of instruments should be allowed to dry inside the steam sterilizer before they are handled.One reason is because wet paper can easily tear when handled.The other is because:

The goal of instrument processing is to:

During instrument processing, what is the reason for sterilizing instruments?

What is the rationale for the holding step as part of instrument processing?

How would you sterilize a plastic, reusable, rubber dam frame that melts at 100° C (212° F)?

Why is it important to let instruments packaged in paper/plastic pouches, paper bags, or sterilization wrap dry inside the steam sterilizer?

Which of the following sterilization methods lead to corrosion (e.g., rusting) of carbon steel instruments?

Sterilization is best defined as a process:

What is the main reason why cloth (e.g., towels, denim) should not be used as a sterilization wrap?

Disinfection is best defined as a process:

Spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus are used in biological indicators to monitor:

Why should heavy and/or sharp instruments not be packaged in paper bags for steam sterilization?

According to the CDC, critical instruments are those that:

A system of storage of sterilized instrument packages that recognizes a package's contents should remain sterile until some event causes items inside to become contaminated is correctly referred to as event-_____ storage.

According to the CDC, how should critical instruments be prepared for use?

What is the main concern or precaution with using an unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer?

Scope of Microbiology and Infection Control

Characteristics of Microorganisms

Development of Infectious Diseases

Emerging Diseases

Oral Microbiology and Plaque-Associated Diseases

Bloodborne Pathogens

Oral and Respiratory Diseases

Infection Control Rationale and Regulations

Immunization

Hand Hygiene

Personal Protective Equipment

Surface and Equipment Asepsis

Dental Unit Water Asepsis and Air Quality

Aseptic Techniques

Laboratory and Radiographic Asepsis

Waste Management

Preventing Sharps Injuries

A Clinical Asepsis Protocol

General Office Safety and Asepsis

Greener Infection Control

Cross-Contamination Between Work and Home

About the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Osha Inspections

Management of the Office Safety Program

Managing Chemicals Safely

Employee Fire Prevention and Emergency Action Plans

Infection Control Concerns During Remodeling or Construction

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