Question 1

Ultrasonic cleaner solution must be discarded:
A) every other day
B) once a week
C) at least once a day
D) once every 28 days

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic cleaner solution must be discarded at least once a day to maintain its effectiveness in cleaning and preventing contamination buildup.

Question 2

The ________ solution is an enzymatic solution that partially dissolves organic debris.

Accepted Answer

holding

Question 3

When loading an autoclave sterilizer, larger packs are placed:
A) tilted at an angle
B) at the top of the chamber
C) at the bottom of the chamber
D) perpendicular to the floor

Accepted Answer

Larger packs should be placed at the bottom of the chamber to ensure proper sterilization. This is because larger packs take longer to heat up and cool down, and placing them at the bottom ensures they receive enough heat for proper sterilization.

Question 4

Instruments rest in a holding solution in which step of instrument processing?
A) Transport
B) Cleaning
C) Packaging
D) Sterilization

Accepted Answer

Instruments are placed in a holding or soaking solution during the cleaning step to prevent drying of blood and debris, making them easier to clean.

Question 5

The ultrasonic cleaner is checked to see whether it is working properly by holding a 5-inch by 5-inch sheet of ____________ in the solution for 20 seconds.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ultrasonic cleaner is checked to see...

Question 6

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 identifying instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature and determining whether an instrument package has been processed

Accepted Answer

Process indicators that change color are useful for both identifying instrument packs that have been exposed to a certain temperature and determining whether an instrument package has been processed. They act as a visual signal to indicate that the package has been through a sterilization process and can be used safely.

Question 7

Which parameter does NOT apply to both autoclave and chemical vapor sterilization?
A) Instruments must be absolutely dry.
B) Articles and packs must be separated from each other.
C) Pressure and temperature must be reached before timing begins.
D) Process integrators must be inserted into the test load instrument package.

Accepted Answer

Autoclaves require instruments to be absolutely dry to prevent the survival of microorganisms in the moisture. Chemical vapor sterilization does not have this requirement as the chemical vapor can penetrate moisture.

Question 8

Why are instruments wrapped or packaged before sterilization?
A) To keep them from rusting
B) To disinfect the instruments
C) To protect them from becoming contaminated after sterilization
D) To provide a simple system of instrument organization

Accepted Answer

Instruments are wrapped or packaged before sterilization to protect them from becoming contaminated after sterilization. This is because sterilization does not guarantee the removal of all contaminants, and wrapping or packaging can help to maintain the sterility of the instruments until they are ready to be used.

Question 9

Packaging materials and cassettes for sterilization must be approved by the:
A) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C) state dental board
D) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Accepted Answer

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency that regulates medical devices, which includes packaging materials and cassettes for sterilization. The FDA ensures that these materials meet safety and effectiveness standards before they are used in healthcare settings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) do not have specific regulations related to sterilization packaging materials and cassettes. While state dental boards may have some regulations related to infection control in dental practice, the FDA is the most relevant regulatory agency for approving sterilization packaging materials and cassettes.

Question 10

A dry heat sterilizer is inadvertently opened mid-cycle, but quickly shut again to finish the cycle, with no other adjustment. Which sterilization error has occurred?
A) Improper loading
B) Improper timing
C) Inadequate instrument cleaning
D) Improper packaging

Accepted Answer

The sterilization cycle was interrupted, leading to improper timing. This can result in inadequate sterilization of the instruments.

Question 11

All soiled instruments are brought into the ________ area.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All soiled instruments are brought into the...

Question 12

An ideal instrument processing area:
A) is located in a separate building from the dental practice
B) contains a dental laboratory and sterilization center
C) is part of a common walkway
D) is uncarpeted with multiple outlets and a vacuum line

Accepted Answer

An ideal instrument processing area should be in a separate, dedicated space within the dental office that is uncarpeted to facilitate easy cleaning and equipped with multiple outlets for powered equipment and a vacuum line to aid in suction and airflow. The area does not need to contain a dental laboratory or be part of a common walkway.

Question 13

Standard packaging for chemical vapor sterilization includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) film pouches or paper bags
B) solid metal trays
C) sterilization wrap
D) nylon see-through tubing

Accepted Answer

Solid metal trays are not typically used in standard packaging for chemical vapor sterilization. Film pouches or paper bags, sterilization wrap, and nylon see-through tubing are commonly used packaging materials.

Question 14

The ultrasonic cleaner works by producing ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ultrasonic cleaner works by producing ________....

Question 15

Which is the LEAST desirable method of cleaning instruments?
A) Ultrasonic cleaning
B) Hand scrubbing
C) Automated instrument washers
D) Thermal disinfectors

Accepted Answer

Hand scrubbing is considered the least desirable method for cleaning instruments because it poses a higher risk of injury and is less effective at removing contaminants compared to automated methods like ultrasonic cleaning, automated instrument washers, and thermal disinfectors.

Question 16

The only approved way to determine that sterilization has actually occurred is to use:
A) process integrators
B) biologic monitors
C) process indicators
D) multiparameter indicators

Accepted Answer

Biologic monitors, also known as spore tests, are the only approved way to determine that sterilization has actually occurred. They involve placing a known number of bacterial spores on a test strip or in a vial, then subjecting them to the sterilization process. If the process was successful, all of the spores will be killed, indicating that the sterilization was effective. Process integrators, process indicators, and multiparameter indicators can provide useful information about the status of the sterilization process, but they do not confirm that sterilization has actually occurred.

Question 17

Which method of sterilization is best for plastic shade guides and rubber dam frames?
A) Autoclave
B) Chemical vapor
C) Dry heat
D) Chemical liquid

Accepted Answer

Chemical liquid sterilization is best for plastic shade guides and rubber dam frames because these items can be damaged by the high temperatures used in autoclaving, chemical vapor, and dry heat sterilization methods. Chemical liquid sterilizers can effectively sterilize these items at lower temperatures, preventing damage.

Question 18

Liquid chemical sterilant must be covered, because glutaraldehyde produces toxic fumes.
A) The statement is correct, but the reason is not.
B) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
C) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
D) Both the statement and the reason are correct but not related.

Accepted Answer

Both the statement and the reason are correct and related. Glutaraldehyde, a liquid chemical sterilant, does produce toxic fumes, which is why it must be covered to minimize exposure and ensure safety.

Question 19

The workflow pattern for instrument processing should proceed in a single loop from:
A) dirty, to sterile, to storage
B) dirty, to clean, to sterile, to storage
C) dirty, to preclean, to clean, to storage
D) dirty, to preclean, to clean, to sterilize, to storage

Accepted Answer

The answer of The workflow pattern for instrument processing should...

Question 20

Examples of process integrators include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) aluminum foil
B) strips
C) tubes of colored liquid
D) tabs

Accepted Answer

Process integrators are devices used to monitor and verify the effectiveness of a sterilization process. They are designed to respond with a physical or chemical change to one or more of the conditions within the sterilization chamber. Aluminum foil does not serve as a process integrator because it does not change in a way that can be measured or observed to verify sterilization conditions, unlike strips, tubes of colored liquid, and tabs, which are specifically designed to change under certain conditions to indicate whether the process parameters have been met.

Quiz 8: Instrument Processing

Ultrasonic cleaner solution must be discarded:

The ________ solution is an enzymatic solution that partially dissolves organic debris.

When loading an autoclave sterilizer, larger packs are placed:

Instruments rest in a holding solution in which step of instrument processing?

The ultrasonic cleaner is checked to see whether it is working properly by holding a 5-inch by 5-inch sheet of ____________ in the solution for 20 seconds.

Process indicators that change color are useful for:

Which parameter does NOT apply to both autoclave and chemical vapor sterilization?

Why are instruments wrapped or packaged before sterilization?

Packaging materials and cassettes for sterilization must be approved by the:

A dry heat sterilizer is inadvertently opened mid-cycle, but quickly shut again to finish the cycle, with no other adjustment. Which sterilization error has occurred?

All soiled instruments are brought into the ________ area.

An ideal instrument processing area:

Standard packaging for chemical vapor sterilization includes all of the following EXCEPT:

The ultrasonic cleaner works by producing ________.

Which is the LEAST desirable method of cleaning instruments?

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

Which method of sterilization is best for plastic shade guides and rubber dam frames?

Liquid chemical sterilant must be covered, because glutaraldehyde produces toxic fumes.

The workflow pattern for instrument processing should proceed in a single loop from:

Examples of process integrators include all of the following EXCEPT: