AAMA Infection Control, Medical Asepsis, and Sterilization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of isolation is used for a patient with tuberculosis?
- Contact isolation
- Airborne infection isolation (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- Protective isolation
Correct answer: Airborne infection isolation
Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei, requiring airborne infection isolation with a negative-pressure room and N95 respirators.
Question 2: What is the minimum temperature required for moist heat (autoclave) sterilization at standard pressure?
- 100°C (212°F)
- 121°C (250°F) (Correct answer)
- 134°C (273°F)
- 160°C (320°F)
Correct answer: 121°C (250°F)
Standard autoclave sterilization uses 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi for a minimum of 15–30 minutes to destroy all microorganisms.
Question 3: A medical assistant is caring for a patient with MRSA. Which PPE is required beyond standard precautions?
- N95 respirator and goggles
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Surgical mask and gloves
- Face shield only
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
MRSA requires contact precautions, which add a gown and gloves to standard precautions to prevent transmission via direct or indirect contact.
Question 4: Which chemical is most commonly used for high-level disinfection of semicritical items such as endoscopes?
- Isopropyl alcohol 70%
- Sodium hypochlorite 1:10 bleach
- Glutaraldehyde 2% (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Correct answer: Glutaraldehyde 2%
Glutaraldehyde 2% (e.g., Cidex) is a commonly used high-level disinfectant for heat-sensitive semicritical items like endoscopes.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a biological indicator (spore test) in sterilization monitoring?
- To measure temperature inside the autoclave
- To verify that all microorganisms including spores were destroyed (Correct answer)
- To check the pressure gauge calibration
- To detect the presence of prions
Correct answer: To verify that all microorganisms including spores were destroyed
Biological indicators contain highly resistant bacterial spores (e.g., Geobacillus stearothermophilus) to verify that the sterilization process destroyed all life forms.
Question 6: Hand hygiene with soap and water is preferred over alcohol-based hand rub when hands are contaminated with which organism?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Clostridium difficile (Correct answer)
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Correct answer: Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile forms spores that are resistant to alcohol; soap and water physically removes the spores from hands.
Question 7: Which item is classified as a critical item and MUST be sterilized before use?
- Blood pressure cuff
- Bedpan
- Surgical scalpel (Correct answer)
- Stethoscope
Correct answer: Surgical scalpel
Critical items (e.g., surgical scalpels) penetrate sterile tissue or the vascular system and must be sterile to prevent infection.
AAMA Infection Control, Medical Asepsis, and Sterilization 2
Which type of isolation is used for a patient with tuberculosis?