Infection Control & Sterilization Flashcards

Which hand hygiene method is most effective at eliminating bacterial spores such as Clostridioides difficile?

Answer: Soap and water handwashing

Alcohol-based products do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water mechanically removes them through friction and rinsing.

Standard Precautions apply to which of the following?

Answer: Blood and all body fluids except sweat

Standard Precautions apply to blood and all body fluids (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes for all patients regardless of diagnosis.

The correct order for donning (putting on) PPE is:

Answer: Gown, mask, goggles, gloves

The CDC-recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, then goggles/face shield, then gloves last so gloves cover gown cuffs.

Which level of disinfection destroys all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores?

Answer: High-level disinfection

High-level disinfection eliminates all microorganisms except large numbers of spores and is required for semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes.

A medical assistant accidentally contacts a patient's blood. The FIRST action to take is:

Answer: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water

Immediately washing the exposed area with soap and water is the first priority to reduce viral load before reporting or completing documentation.

Which type of isolation precaution requires a patient to be placed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?

Answer: Airborne precautions

Airborne precautions require a negative-pressure AIIR to contain pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and measles that travel on small airborne particles.

Biohazard waste containers should be:

Answer: Red or orange bags or rigid puncture-resistant containers

OSHA requires biohazardous waste to be placed in red or orange color-coded bags or rigid sharps containers to alert handlers to the infectious hazard.