Practice Test Geeks(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test
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Safety and Infection Control Flashcards

7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Safety and Infection Control flashcards as text

  1. A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis requires emergency surgery. Which respiratory precaution is MOST appropriate for the OR team?

    Answer: N95 respirators with fit-testing for all personnel

    N95 respirators (or higher) are required for airborne precautions when caring for patients with active TB during aerosol-generating procedures.

  2. Which of the following is the MOST effective method to prevent transmission of Clostridioides difficile in the perioperative setting?

    Answer: Soap and water hand washing

    Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against C. difficile spores; soap and water physically removes spores from hands.

  3. During a 'time-out' procedure prior to surgery, which of the following is a core component according to The Joint Commission?

    Answer: Confirmation of correct patient, site, and procedure

    The Universal Protocol time-out requires confirmation of correct patient identity, surgical site, and planned procedure before incision.

  4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining positive pressure ventilation in the operating room?

    Answer: To prevent outside contaminants from entering the sterile field

    Positive pressure in the OR keeps potentially contaminated corridor air from flowing in, protecting the sterile surgical field.

  5. A reusable laryngoscope blade should undergo which level of reprocessing between patients?

    Answer: High-level disinfection or sterilization

    Laryngoscope blades contact mucous membranes and require high-level disinfection (or sterilization) between uses to eliminate pathogens.

  6. Which action BEST reduces the risk of a retained surgical item (RSI) during a complex abdominal case?

    Answer: Performing standardized surgical counts at key intervals with reconciliation

    Standardized counting protocols performed by two individuals at opening, during closure, and at skin closure are the primary defense against RSIs.

  7. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility is BEST confirmed by which diagnostic test?

    Answer: In-vitro contracture test (IVCT/CHCT) of skeletal muscle biopsy

    The caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT in North America) on a fresh muscle biopsy remains the gold-standard diagnostic test for MH susceptibility.