Infection Control and Safety Protocols Flashcards

EEG gold cup electrodes that are reused between patients should be processed using which minimum standard?

Answer: High-level disinfection or sterilization

Reusable EEG electrodes are semi-critical items that contact broken skin and require at minimum high-level disinfection or sterilization between patients.

Glutaraldehyde (e.g., Cidex) used for high-level disinfection of sleep study equipment is considered hazardous because it:

Answer: Can cause respiratory irritation, skin sensitization, and mucous membrane damage

Glutaraldehyde vapors are toxic and can cause significant respiratory irritation, occupational asthma, and skin/mucous membrane sensitization, requiring proper ventilation and PPE.

Which sterilization method is preferred for heat-sensitive sleep lab equipment such as CPAP circuit tubing?

Answer: Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization

Ethylene oxide gas sterilization operates at low temperatures and is preferred for heat-sensitive items like plastic CPAP circuit tubing.

A patient arrives for a sleep study with an active MRSA wound infection. Which precautions should be implemented in addition to Standard Precautions?

Answer: Contact precautions

MRSA is transmitted by direct or indirect contact, so contact precautions (gown and gloves) must be added to Standard Precautions to prevent spread.

After removing PPE following care of an isolation patient, in which order should items be removed to minimize self-contamination?

Answer: Gloves → gown → goggles/face shield → mask/respirator → hand hygiene

CDC recommends removing gloves first (most contaminated), then gown, then goggles/face shield, and finally the mask/respirator, with hand hygiene after removing gloves and again after all PPE is removed.

Which agent is classified as an intermediate-level disinfectant and is commonly used for routine cleaning of sleep lab environmental surfaces?

Answer: 70% isopropyl alcohol

70% isopropyl alcohol is an intermediate-level disinfectant effective against mycobacteria, most viruses, and vegetative bacteria, making it suitable for environmental surface disinfection.

When must a polysomnographic technologist change gloves during a patient sleep study?

Answer: Between contact with different body sites on the same patient and between patients

Gloves must be changed between contact with different body sites on the same patient to prevent cross-contamination and always between patients.