ADEX Infection Control and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hepatitis virus is most commonly transmitted via contaminated dental instruments?
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis E
Correct answer: Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a primary bloodborne pathogen of concern in dentistry due to its high survival rate on surfaces and low infectious dose.
Question 2: What is the minimum contact time required for a high-level disinfectant to achieve its labeled efficacy?
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute
- The manufacturer's specified contact time (Correct answer)
- 5 minutes always
Correct answer: The manufacturer's specified contact time
Disinfectants must remain wet on the surface for the full manufacturer-specified contact time to achieve the labeled level of kill.
Question 3: Which CDC transmission-based precaution category applies to patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Pulmonary TB is transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei (<5 µm) and requires airborne precautions including an N95 respirator.
Question 4: A dental hygienist recaps a needle using the one-hand scoop technique. This practice is intended to:
- Speed up instrument turnover
- Eliminate the need for a sharps container
- Reduce the risk of needlestick injury (Correct answer)
- Allow reuse of disposable needles
Correct answer: Reduce the risk of needlestick injury
The one-hand scoop technique keeps the non-dominant hand away from the needle, significantly reducing the risk of an accidental needlestick.
Question 5: Which item requires sterilization rather than disinfection before reuse on another patient?
- Facebow
- Lead apron
- Dental explorer (Correct answer)
- Digital X-ray sensor (non-wrapped)
Correct answer: Dental explorer
A dental explorer is a critical instrument that penetrates soft tissue, requiring sterilization between every patient use.
Question 6: Spaulding's classification categorizes dental handpieces as:
- Noncritical
- Semicritical
- Critical (Correct answer)
- Low-risk environmental surface
Correct answer: Critical
Dental handpieces are classified as critical instruments because they penetrate soft tissue and bone, requiring sterilization between patients.
Question 7: After an accidental needlestick exposure, the first action the dental hygienist should take is:
- Report to the supervisor immediately
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Squeeze the wound to expel blood
Correct answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
Immediate thorough washing of the wound with soap and water is the first recommended step after a needlestick or sharps injury.
ADEX Infection Control and Safety 2
Which hepatitis virus is most commonly transmitted via contaminated dental instruments?