Question 1

A method of sterilizing unwrapped patient care items for immediate use is:
A)flash sterilization.
B)dry heat sterilization.
C)autoclaving.
D)chemiclaving.

Accepted Answer

Flash sterilization is the best method for sterilizing unwrapped patient care items for immediate use. It is a type of sterilization that uses shorter exposure times and higher temperatures than traditional sterilization methods, making it ideal for urgent procedures. Dry heat sterilization and autoclaving are more appropriate for wrapped or packaged items, while chemiclaving is not a commonly used sterilization method.

Question 2

Sterilization destroys:
A)all microbial forms, including bacterial spores.
B)all microbial forms, except bacterial spores.
C)bacteria, including bacterial spores and viruses, but not fungi.
D)bacteria, including bacterial spores and fungi, but not viruses.

Accepted Answer

Sterilization destroys all microbial forms,including bacterial spores.Sterile is an absolute term.

Question 3

When transporting and processing contaminated patient care items,the dental assistant can be exposed to microorganisms through _____.
A)percutaneous injury or contact with mucous membranes of the eye, nose, or mouth.
B)percutaneous injury or contact with mucous membranes of the eye and nose, but not the mouth.
C)percutaneous injury, but not contact with mucous membranes.
D)contact with mucous membranes, but not percutaneous injury.

Accepted Answer

When transporting and processing contaminated patient care items, the dental assistant can be exposed to microorganisms through percutaneous injury or contact with mucous membranes of the eye, nose, or mouth. This is because microorganisms can enter the body through any opening in the skin or mucous membranes, potentially causing infection or disease. It is important for dental assistants to take appropriate infection control precautions to minimize their risk of exposure.

Question 4

The least desirable method of precleaning dental instruments is:
A)hand scrubbing.
B)ultrasonic cleaning.
C)instrument washing machines.
D)rinsing in a holding solution.

Accepted Answer

Hand scrubbing is the least desirable method of cleaning instruments,because it requires direct hand contact with contaminated instruments and increases the risk of percutaneous injury.
Ultrasonic cleaning,instrument washing machines,and rinsing in a holding solution are acceptable methods of precleaning.

Question 5

The purpose of a holding solution is to _____ instruments.
A)clean
B)disinfect
C)prevent the drying of blood and debris on
D)sterilize

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a holding solution is to prevent the drying of blood and debris on instruments. It is a temporary measure to keep instruments moist and prevent the buildup of organic matter until they can be properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized.

Question 6

Why are instruments bagged before sterilization?
A)To protect them from becoming contaminated after sterilization
B)To allow them to be grouped into special setups by procedure
C)To keep them from rusting
D)Both a and b

Accepted Answer

Instruments are bagged before sterilization to protect them from becoming contaminated after sterilization, as well as to allow them to be grouped into special setups by procedure. Simply bagging instruments does not prevent rusting, so C is not the best choice. Therefore, D is the best choice as it correctly identifies both reasons for bagging instruments before sterilization.

Question 7

The ideal instrument-processing area should be:
A)large enough for several assistants to work at one time.
B)dedicated only to instrument processing.
C)part of the operatories and dental laboratory.
D)open to the outside through a door or windows.

Accepted Answer

The ideal instrument-processing area should be dedicated only to instrument processing to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the area remains clean and organized. It should not be part of the operatories or dental laboratory to avoid cross-contamination with patient treatment areas. It does not need to be large enough for several assistants to work at one time as only one or two may be sufficient. It also does not need to be open to the outside through a door or windows.

Question 8

The ultrasonic cleaner should be cleaned and disinfected:
A)every other day.
B)once a week.
C)at least once a day.
D)once every 28 days.

Accepted Answer

The ultrasonic cleaner should be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day. This is to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and ensure the equipment is always in optimal condition for use.

Question 9

The ultrasonic cleaner cleans dirty instruments using sound waves,which cause:
A)cavitation.
B)implosion.
C)vibrations.
D)both a and b.

Accepted Answer

The ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves to create cavitation, which is the formation and collapse of microscopic bubbles in the cleaning solution. As these bubbles collapse, they generate energy in the form of heat, pressure, and shock waves, which dislodge and remove dirt, debris, and contaminants from the surfaces of the instruments. This process is also known as implosion. Therefore, both options A and B are correct. Option C is not correct since the cleaning action of the ultrasonic cleaner is not simply based on vibrations, but on the physical effects of cavitation and implosion.

Question 10

A process indicator is an example of _____ monitoring of the sterilization process.
A)physical
B)external chemical
C)internal chemical
D)biologic

Accepted Answer

The answer of A process indicator is an example of...

Question 11

_______ is the process of killing all microorganisms,including bacterial spores.
A)Disinfection
B)Sterilization
C)Ultrasonic cleaning

Accepted Answer

Sterilization is the only option that ensures the complete destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores which are the most resistant form of life. Disinfection is the process of reducing the number of microorganisms but not necessarily eliminating all, while ultrasonic cleaning involves the removal of debris and foreign particles from instruments or equipment, but does not necessarily kill all microorganisms.

Question 12

After instruments have been through the cleaning cycle of the ultrasonic cleaner,they should be:
A)bagged.
B)rinsed with clear water.
C)placed in the sterilizer.
D)put away.

Accepted Answer

After passing through the cleaning cycle of an ultrasonic cleaner, instruments should be rinsed with clear water to remove any remaining debris or cleaning solution before sterilization. This helps ensure that the sterilizer can effectively penetrate and kill any remaining microorganisms on the instruments. Bagging or putting away the instruments before sterilization can risk re-contamination of the instruments.

Question 13

Process indicators that change color are useful for:
A)monitoring sterilization.
B)identifying instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature.
C)determining whether an instrument package has been processed.
D)both b and c.

Accepted Answer

Process indicators that change color can be used to identify instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature and also to determine if an instrument package has been processed. Therefore, both options B and C are correct. Option A is not entirely accurate as monitoring sterilization usually requires a more advanced monitoring method such as biological or chemical indicators.

Question 14

There are sections of the instrument-processing area that govern the workflow pattern.The processing should flow in a single loop from dirty,to _____,to storage.
A)sterile
B)clean, to sterile
C)preclean, to clean
D)preclean, to clean, to sterile

Accepted Answer

The correct workflow pattern in an instrument-processing area is from dirty to clean to sterile, ensuring that instruments are properly cleaned before sterilization and storage.

Question 15

The best way to determine that sterilization has actually occurred is to use:
A)process integrators.
B)biologic monitors.
C)process indicators.
D)color-changing sterilization bags or tape.

Accepted Answer

Biologic monitors contain bacterial spores that are highly resistant to sterilization techniques. After the sterilization process, these spores are analyzed to confirm that they have been killed off, indicating that the sterilization process was successful. This is the most reliable way to ensure that sterilization has occurred. Process integrators and indicators are useful for monitoring the parameters of the sterilization process, but they do not provide direct evidence of sterilization. Color-changing sterilization bags or tape are useful indicators that the item has been through the sterilization process, but they do not confirm that sterilization has been successful.

Question 16

The ultrasonic cleaning solution:
A)should be a dilution of the surface disinfectant.
B)should have an antimicrobial activity that will disinfect the instruments.
C)should be specially formulated for use only in the ultrasonic cleaner.
D)must not have enzymatic activity, because such products have been removed from the market.

Accepted Answer

The ultrasonic cleaning solution should be specially formulated for use in the ultrasonic cleaner to ensure effective cleaning without damaging the instruments or the cleaner itself.

Question 17

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered intermediate-level or low-level disinfectant is suitable for cleaning:
A)critical, semicritical, and noncritical instruments.
B)critical and semicritical instruments.
C)semicritical and noncritical instruments.
D)noncritical instruments only.

Accepted Answer

Intermediate-level or low-level disinfectants are suitable for noncritical instruments, which come into contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes. Critical and semicritical instruments require higher-level disinfection or sterilization.

Question 18

Which of the following patient care items is classified as a semicritical instrument?
A)Dental burs
B)Dental hygiene scalers
C)Lead apron
D)Rubber dam forceps

Accepted Answer

Semicritical instruments are those that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but do not penetrate them. Rubber dam forceps are used in the mouth but do not penetrate tissues, making them semicritical.

Question 19

Personal protective equipment (PPE),including _____,must always be used when processing instruments.
A)vinyl or latex gloves, a mask, eyewear, and protective clothing
B)utility gloves, a mask, eyewear, and protective clothing
C)utility gloves, eyewear, and protective clothing, but not a mask
D)utility gloves, a mask, and protective clothing, but not eyewear

Accepted Answer

Utility gloves, a mask, eyewear, and protective clothing are essential PPE for processing instruments to ensure maximum protection against potential hazards.

Question 20

All reusable items among the instruments (critical and semicritical) that come in contact with the patient's _____ must be heat-sterilized.
A)blood, saliva, or mucous membranes
B)blood or saliva, but not mucous membranes
C)saliva or mucous membranes, but not blood
D)blood or mucous membranes, but not saliva

Accepted Answer

All reusable items that come in contact with the patient's blood, saliva, or mucous membranes must be heat-sterilized to prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms. Heat sterilization is the most reliable method of sterilization and can kill all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.

Quiz 21: Principles and Techniques of Instrument Processing and Sterilization

A method of sterilizing unwrapped patient care items for immediate use is:

Sterilization destroys:

When transporting and processing contaminated patient care items,the dental assistant can be exposed to microorganisms through _____.

The least desirable method of precleaning dental instruments is:

The purpose of a holding solution is to _____ instruments.

Why are instruments bagged before sterilization?

The ideal instrument-processing area should be:

The ultrasonic cleaner should be cleaned and disinfected:

The ultrasonic cleaner cleans dirty instruments using sound waves,which cause:

A process indicator is an example of _____ monitoring of the sterilization process.

_______ is the process of killing all microorganisms,including bacterial spores.

After instruments have been through the cleaning cycle of the ultrasonic cleaner,they should be:

Process indicators that change color are useful for:

There are sections of the instrument-processing area that govern the workflow pattern.The processing should flow in a single loop from dirty,to _____,to storage.

The best way to determine that sterilization has actually occurred is to use:

The ultrasonic cleaning solution:

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -registered intermediate-level or low-level disinfectant is suitable for cleaning:

Which of the following patient care items is classified as a semicritical instrument?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) ,including _____,must always be used when processing instruments.

All reusable items among the instruments (critical and semicritical) that come in contact with the patient's _____ must be heat-sterilized.