Deck 4: Control of Microorganisms

Question 1

Organisms that are the most resistant to heat, chemicals, and radiation are

A) parasites.
B) prions.
C) bacteria.
D) viruses.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

If this is present on a surface to be disinfected, it can shield microorganisms from the disinfectant or inactivate the disinfectant. What is this substance?

A) Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
B) Organic material
C) Hydrochloric acid
D) Water

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Pasteurization achieves _____.

A) disinfection
B) sterilization
C) asepsis
D) filtration

Answer 3

A

Question 4

After using the phone, the laboratory tech sprayed the receiver with a chemical spray. This process will kill a defined scope of microorganisms. What is this process called?

A) Sterilization
B) Bacteriostatic
C) Disinfection
D) Bactericidal

Question 5

These two alcohols are effective in killing enveloped viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV).

A) 50% isopropyl and 50% butanol
B) 95% propanol and 70% ethanol
C) 70% isopropyl and 95% ethanol
D) 70% pentanol and 70% isopropyl

Question 6

This agency regulates the use, sale, and distribution of antimicrobial pesticide products for certain inanimate, hard, nonporous surfaces, or incorporates into substances under the pesticide law.

A) Antimicrobial Division of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C) U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)
D) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Question 7

The chemical or physical method that destroys all forms of life is called

A) sterilization.
B) disinfection.
C) bacteriostatic.
D) bactericidal.

Question 8

When eliminating organisms from inanimate objects, higher numbers of organisms require longer exposure times because

A) all disinfecting agents are not alike and some require shorter times.
B) the chemical composition of the disinfecting agent varies.
C) disinfecting agents containing carbon tetrachloride require longer times to act.
D) it takes longer to eliminate 99% of microorganisms.

Question 9

This chemical is a saturated 5-carbon dialdehyde that has broad-spectrum activity, rapid killing action, and remains active in the presence of organic matter.

A) Formalin
B) Formaldehyde
C) Haloaldehyde
D) Glutaraldehyde

Question 10

Disinfectants are usually used at this temperature.

A) 50° C to 100° C
B) 0° C to 10° C
C) 25° C to 50° C
D) 20° C to 22° C

Question 11

For the most effective microbial killing, all iodophors must be properly diluted because

A) they stain the skin if too concentrated.
B) this decreases contact time for adequate killing.
C) there must be enough free iodine to kill the microorganisms.
D) this increases contact time for adequate killing.

Question 12

Before performing a phlebotomy, the phlebotomist will clean the area on a patient's arm with a substance before inserting the needle. This substance is called a(n)

A) disinfectant.
B) sterilizer.
C) antiseptic.
D) bactericidal.

Question 13

Alcohols use this mechanism to inactivate microorganisms.

A) Denature proteins
B) Destroy DNA
C) Denature RNA
D) Inhibit cell wall synthesis

Question 14

Chemosterilizers exert their killing effect through all the following mechanisms, except

A) denaturation of cellular proteins.
B) damage of RNA and DNA.
C) inactivating enzyme substrates.
D) reactions with components of the cytoplasmic membrane.

Question 15

Many materials in hospitals that must be sterilized cannot withstand steam sterilization. Gas sterilization is used instead, using this gas.

A) Nitrous oxide
B) Oxygen
C) Ethylene oxide
D) Carbon dioxide

Question 16

Even though hypochlorites are inexpensive and have a broad range of microbes that they kill, they are not used as sterilants because of

A) the corrosive nature of the compound.
B) the activation required by organic matter.
C) short exposure time for sporicidal action.
D) long exposure time for sporicidal action.

Question 17

High-level disinfectants are active against all the following, except

A) parasites.
B) spores.
C) fungi.
D) tubercle bacilli.

Question 18

Why should health care workers wash their hands after coming into contact with a patient?

A) To reduce the amount of red blood cells transmitted from one patient to the next
B) To reduce the occurrence of hemolytic transfusion reactions
C) To reduce the need for antiseptics and disinfectants
D) To reduce the spread of pathogenic bacteria from one individual to another

Question 19

All the following factors play a significant role in the selection and implementation of the appropriate method of disinfection, except

A) temperature.
B) contact time.
C) biofilms.
D) humidity.

Question 20

The tech needs to sterilize a piece of equipment that cannot be autoclaved or gas sterilized because the equipment contains lenses, metal, and rubber components. What solution should be used to sterilize this piece of equipment?

A) 10% bleach
B) 37% formalin
C) Glutaraldehyde
D) 90% alcohol

Question 21

Universal/Standard Precautions require that

A) only some body fluids be considered infectious and capable of transmitting disease.
B) body fluids with visible blood be treated as noninfectious.
C) blood and body fluids from all patients be considered infectious and capable of transmitting disease.
D) urine and feces be considered noninfectious.

Question 22

This topical antiseptic disrupts the microbial cell membrane and precipitates the cellular contents.

A) Chlorhexidine gluconate
B) Povidone-iodine
C) 95% ethanol
D) 60% isopropyl alcohol

Question 23

All of the following organisms can typically cause infection from aerosolization of specimens, except

A) Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
B) Brucella spp.
C) Staphylococcus aureus.
D) Francisella tularensis.

Question 24

Engineering controls and work practice controls to ensure Standard Precautions are followed include all the following, except

A) eyewash stations.
B) the use of safety needles.
C) plastic shield barriers.
D) fire blankets.

Question 25

Processing of patient specimens and handling of actively growing cultures of microorganisms put an employee at risk of potential contact with the infectious agent through all the following routes, except

A) mucous membranes.
B) blood splashed onto intact skin.
C) inhalation of aerosols.
D) accidental ingestion.

Question 26

This compound is a diphenyl ether and it exerts its bactericidal effects by disrupting the cell wall. It has good activity against gram-positive cocci, but poor activity against fungi. What is its name?

A) 95% ethanol
B) Triclosan
C) Chlorhexidine gluconate
D) Povidone-iodine

Question 27

Standard Precautions do not address which of the following?

A) Handwashing
B) Gloves
C) Laboratory coats
D) Respirators

Question 28

The main goal of handwashing is to

A) sterilize a person's hand.
B) increase the risk of passing on pathogens.
C) eliminate transient flora.
D) disinfect a person's hands.

Question 29

These disinfectants are cationic, surface-activated agents that work by reducing the surface tension of molecules in a liquid, resulting in the disruption of the cellular membrane of microbes.

A) Quaternary ammonium compounds
B) Heavy metals
C) Chlorines
D) Iodophors

Question 30

The most common iodophor used in the United States for preoperative skin preparation is

A) calcium iodophor.
B) 95% ethanol and iodine.
C) tincture of iodine.
D) povidone-iodine.

Question 31

Why is laboratory-acquired infection an obvious hazard for personnel working in a microbiology laboratory?

A) Microbiology personnel do not always adhere to safety practices.
B) Safety practices are not applicable for the microbiology laboratory.
C) In-service education is not provided for microbiology staff.
D) Personnel deal with a variety of infectious agents: viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial.

Question 32

This organization regulates chemical skin antiseptics.

A) EPA
B) FDA
C) CDC
D) National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Question 33

All of the following are examples of PPE, except

A) gloves.
B) laboratory coats.
C) safety glasses.
D) prescription glasses.

Question 34

Safety program and work practice controls consist of all of the following, except

A) ensuring written procedures are in place for a task.
B) altering the manner in which a task is performed to reduce exposure to infectious agents.
C) allowing workers to eat at the bench if it gets busy and they do not have time to take a lunch break.
D) reviewing the procedure manual annually.

Question 35

What protective measures can a laboratory worker take when working with actively growing cultures to ensure that they do not become infected?

A) Ensure that fungal cultures are sealed and worked in a biosafety cabinet.
B) Wash their hands at the end of their shift.
C) Handle specimens routinely, using extra care for HIV and HBV cultures.
D) Take off bandages on fingers when reading plates.

Question 36

The purpose of surgical hand scrubs and waterless hand rubs is to

A) eliminate the transient flora and most of the resident flora on the skin.
B) remove all physical dirt and some residential flora.
C) remove all resident flora.
D) remove all transient flora.

Question 37

The comprehensive safety program for the microbiology laboratory needs to fulfill all the following provision, except:

A) It is specific to the hospital and does not need to conform to state, local, and federal regulations.
B) It must address biological hazards.
C) It must teach correct techniques for lifting and moving heavy objects and patients (where applicable).
D) It must describe the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.

Question 38

Laboratory safety includes all the following areas, except

A) radioactivity.
B) chemical.
C) isolation.
D) fire.

Question 39

The laboratory exposure control plan should contain all the following, except

A) engineer and work practice controls.
B) review of control plan every 5 years.
C) methods of compliance for Standard Precautions.
D) guidelines for handling and disposal of regulated waste.

Question 40

Routine handwashing in health care settings mandates washing at all the following times, except

A) in high-risk areas such as ICU and burn units.
B) on entering protective isolation units.
C) before and after routine patient contact.
D) when gloves become soiled during a procedure or dressing change on the same patient.

Question 41

Three levels of laboratories outlined in the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) include all the following, except

A) sentinel.
B) reference.
C) first responder.
D) national responder.

Question 42

If a laboratory uses hazardous chemicals, it must

A) keep a chemical inventory and MSDSs on hand.
B) keep chemicals in a special corrosive cabinet.
C) keep chemicals in a special locking cabinet.
D) post chemical names and locations on the door of the laboratory.

Question 43

The biosafety levels were categorized using all the following criteria, except

A) the bacterial load necessary to cause infection.
B) the organism's ability to cause serious illness.
C) the organism's mode of transmission.
D) whether there is treatment available for an infection.

Question 44

A biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) level of containment is used for organisms that

A) can cause a catastrophe if released.
B) usually cause 90% mortality in the population.
C) create a moderate potential hazard for employees and the environment.
D) do not cause significant harm to employees and the environment.

Question 45

Once bioterrorism is suspected, a sentinel laboratory should perform all culture manipulation using these safety guidelines.

A) BSL-2
B) BSL-3
C) BSL-4
D) BSL-1

Question 46

Laboratory safety for hazardous chemicals includes

A) restricting use of these chemicals to specific individuals.
B) using fume hoods to prevent inhalation of fumes.
C) locking chemicals in one specific "corrosives" cabinet.
D) providing biohazard training to affected individuals.

Question 47

A biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) level of containment is used for organisms that

A) cause 90% mortality of infected people.
B) are well classified and not known to cause disease in healthy people.
C) cause 90% morbidity of infected people.
D) can be transmitted through aerosols.

Question 48

Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) organisms are dangerous, exotic, and pose an increased risk of aerosol-transmitted infections and life-threatening disease. Two examples of BSL-4 organisms are

A) Marburg and Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever.
B) St. Louis encephalitis virus and Coccidioides immitis.
C) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Ebola virus.
D) Francisella tularensis and Ebola virus.

Question 49

Most institutions use the RACE acronym to respond to a fire emergency. RACE stands for

A) race, alert, cite, evacuate.
B) run, avoid, call, emergency.
C) rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish.
D) retrieve, announce, close, exit.

Question 50

OSHA requires laboratories to have this document to ensure that laboratory personnel have a thorough working knowledge of the hazards of the chemicals with which they work.

A) Chemical control plan
B) Standard operating procedures
C) Chemical hygiene plan
D) OSHA compliance plan

Question 51

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains all the following information, except

A) The nature of a chemical (flammable, toxic, carcinogenic)
B) General characteristics
C) Precautions when using a chemical
D) Classification of a chemical (acid, base, protein)

Question 52

Technicians are doing the morning chemistry run. Once they load the specimens onto the instrument, they remove their gloves to do paperwork in a clean area of the laboratory. What should the technicians do after removing their gloves?

A) Reposition the tubes in the racks.
B) Take a break and eat a snack.
C) Call any critical values.
D) Wash their hands.

Question 53

In the LRN program, hospital-based microbiology laboratories are classified as this type of laboratory.

A) Reference
B) National
C) Primary
D) Sentinel

Question 54

Category A bioterrorism agents

A) pose the highest threat because they are easily transmitted and highly infectious.
B) have moderate morbidity and low mortality and are not easily transmitted.
C) are emerging pathogens.
D) are enteric pathogens.

Question 55

The best way to care for your back is to prevent back injuries. All of the following are some ways to prevent back injuries, except

A) carefully lifting heavy objects overhead.
B) using good posture.
C) using the legs to lift, not the back.
D) asking for assistance when a load is too heavy.

Question 56

Because biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) organisms have the potential for aerosol transmission, and diseases with these agents may have serious lethal consequences, all of the following guidelines apply to BSL-3 laboratories, except:

A) BSL-3 laboratories should be separated from other parts of the building by an anteroom.
B) BSL-3 laboratories should have restricted access with documentation of personnel entering and exiting the laboratory.
C) BSL-3 laboratories should have solid ceiling and floor seams, and any seams must be sealed.
D) BSL-3 laboratories should have positive air pressure.