Infection Control and Barrier Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real RDA 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 and Barrier Techniques flashcards as text
Which category of personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn by dental assistants during all procedures that may generate aerosols or splatter?
Answer: Gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and gown
OSHA requires gloves, mask, protective eyewear, and a gown (or clinic attire) during procedures generating aerosols or splatter to protect from blood-borne pathogens and infectious materials.
According to CDC guidelines, when should a dental assistant change gloves during patient care?
Answer: Between every patient and whenever gloves are torn or contaminated
Gloves must be changed between every patient and whenever they become torn, punctured, or otherwise compromised to prevent cross-contamination.
What is the correct sequence for hand hygiene when putting on sterile gloves for a surgical procedure?
Answer: Surgical hand scrub → dry hands → don gloves
Hands must be surgically scrubbed and completely dried before donning sterile surgical gloves to maintain asepsis and prevent glove contamination.
Which of the following is classified as a 'critical item' under Spaulding's classification system?
Answer: Surgical forceps that contact bone
Critical items penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be sterilized; surgical forceps that contact bone are a prime example of a critical item.
What does the term 'Standard Precautions' mean in the dental setting?
Answer: Treating blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin from ALL patients as potentially infectious
Standard Precautions require treating all patients' blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious regardless of known diagnosis, reducing cross-infection risk.
After removing contaminated gloves, a dental assistant should perform which action first?
Answer: Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
Hand hygiene must be performed immediately after removing contaminated gloves because gloves are not impermeable and microorganisms can contaminate hands.
Which surface barrier is most appropriate to protect the dental unit light handle during patient treatment?
Answer: A pre-cut plastic wrap or commercially made barrier changed between each patient
Plastic barriers (wrap or sleeves) placed on the light handle before treatment and discarded between patients prevent cross-contamination without relying on chemical disinfection alone.