Infection Control & Sterilization Flashcards
7 cards from real NCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Infection Control & Sterilization flashcards as text
Steam autoclave sterilization is effective because it uses:
Answer: Saturated steam under pressure at 121°C (250°F)
Autoclaving uses saturated steam under pressure (typically 121°C at 15 psi for 15–30 minutes) to denature proteins and destroy all microbial life including spores.
Which chemical indicator confirms that a package has been exposed to the sterilization process?
Answer: Chemical indicator tape
Chemical indicator tape on the outside of a package changes color when exposed to the sterilization conditions, confirming the package was processed.
Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization is preferred for which type of item?
Answer: Heat-sensitive equipment such as endoscopes and plastics
Ethylene oxide sterilizes at low temperatures and is therefore used for heat-sensitive items like plastics, rubber, and delicate electronic equipment.
The Spaulding Classification categorizes medical instruments into three groups. Which category requires sterilization?
Answer: Critical items
Critical items (those entering sterile tissue or the vascular system, such as surgical instruments and needles) must be sterilized to prevent infection.
How long should a medical assistant scrub their hands using the surgical hand scrub technique?
Answer: 3–5 minutes
The surgical hand scrub involves scrubbing hands and forearms for 3–5 minutes (or per facility protocol) to achieve surgical asepsis before sterile procedures.
Which organism is most commonly associated with healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) transmitted via contaminated hands?
Answer: Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
MRSA is a leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections and is frequently transmitted via the hands of healthcare workers from patient to patient.
When cleaning a contaminated exam table, the medical assistant should use a disinfectant that is registered as:
Answer: EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant
The EPA registers hospital-grade disinfectants that meet efficacy standards for killing pathogens found in healthcare environments; this registration is required for clinical surfaces.