CMI Best Practices in Cleaning Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A custodian notices a 'wet floor' cone was NOT placed after mopping a lobby. What is the BEST immediate action?
- Complete the area first, then place the sign
- Stop mopping and place wet floor signs before continuing (Correct answer)
- Alert a supervisor and wait for instructions
- Place a sign only if someone appears to be approaching
Correct answer: Stop mopping and place wet floor signs before continuing
Wet floor warning signs must be placed immediately when mopping begins to alert building occupants of the slip hazard.
Question 2: What is the recommended procedure for cleaning a microwave in a break room?
- Spray disinfectant inside and wipe immediately without heating
- Place a bowl of water inside and run for 2 minutes to loosen debris, then wipe clean (Correct answer)
- Use an abrasive scrubber to remove baked-on food residue
- Apply oven cleaner spray and let sit for 10 minutes
Correct answer: Place a bowl of water inside and run for 2 minutes to loosen debris, then wipe clean
Steam from heated water loosens food residue inside a microwave without damaging the interior surfaces or leaving chemical residue.
Question 3: When stripping old floor finish from VCT, what neutralizing step is required BEFORE applying new finish?
- Apply a floor sealer coat immediately after stripping
- Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water to neutralize stripper residue (Correct answer)
- Allow the floor to air dry for 24 hours
- Apply a floor hardener to close the tile pores
Correct answer: Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water to neutralize stripper residue
Residual floor stripper is highly alkaline and must be thoroughly rinsed and neutralized to prevent the new finish from failing to bond properly.
Question 4: Which type of cleaning cloth is MOST recommended for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in healthcare-adjacent environments?
- Cotton terry cloth reused between rooms
- Microfiber cloth used once per surface zone or disposable wipe (Correct answer)
- Synthetic sponge soaked in disinfectant solution
- Paper towels for all surface types
Correct answer: Microfiber cloth used once per surface zone or disposable wipe
Microfiber used once per zone or disposable wipes eliminate cross-contamination risk and are more effective at trapping pathogens than traditional cloths.
Question 5: A custodian is assigned to clean after a norovirus outbreak in a school cafeteria. Which disinfectant category is required?
- Quaternary ammonium (quat) based disinfectant at standard dilution
- EPA-registered disinfectant with norovirus efficacy claim on the label (Correct answer)
- Bleach diluted at 1:100 ratio
- Isopropyl alcohol at 70%
Correct answer: EPA-registered disinfectant with norovirus efficacy claim on the label
Only EPA-registered disinfectants that specifically list norovirus (or Feline calicivirus as a surrogate) on their label are proven effective against it.
Question 6: What is the recommended dwell time for a 10% bleach solution when disinfecting a surface contaminated with bodily fluids?
- 10 seconds
- 1 minute
- At least 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- 30 minutes
Correct answer: At least 10 minutes
A 10% bleach solution requires a minimum of 10 minutes of contact time to achieve effective disinfection of surfaces with bodily fluid contamination.
Question 7: When cleaning stairwells in a multi-story building, in which direction should the custodian work?
- Bottom to top so debris falls to already-cleaned areas
- Top to bottom so debris falls to uncleaned areas below (Correct answer)
- Start at the middle landing and work outward
- Direction does not matter for stairwell cleaning
Correct answer: Top to bottom so debris falls to uncleaned areas below
Cleaning from top to bottom ensures that any dislodged debris falls onto areas yet to be cleaned, not onto surfaces already completed.
CMI Best Practices in Cleaning Procedures 4
A custodian notices a 'wet floor' cone was NOT placed after mopping a lobby.
What is the BEST immediate action?