1-E-2,3: Disinfection, Sterilization, Standard Precautions

Question 1

What is disinfection?

Answer 1

Disinfection decreases the number of microorganisms.

Question 2

What methods can disinfect equipment?

Answer 2

Boiling water and chemical liquids can disinfect equipment.

Question 3

What are examples of chemical disinfectants?

Answer 3

Examples include germicides, bactericides, fungicides, and virucides.

Question 4

What is sterilization?

Answer 4

Sterilization completely destroys all organisms and spores.

Question 5

What methods can sterilize equipment?

Answer 5

Moist or dry heat, steam under pressure, chemical sterilization, and ethylene oxide can sterilize equipment.

Question 6

What are steam sterilizers also known as?

Answer 6

Steam sterilizers are also known as steam autoclaves.

Question 7

What is medical asepsis?

Answer 7

Medical asepsis decreases the amount of microorganisms.

Question 8

How does medical asepsis differ from sterile technique?

Answer 8

Unlike sterile technique, medical asepsis does not completely remove spores.

Question 9

What is the number one way to reduce nosocomial infections?

Answer 9

Proper hand hygiene is the number one way to reduce nosocomial infections.

Question 10

When should hands be washed?

Answer 10

Hands must be washed after touching blood, other body fluids, and other secretions or excretions.

Question 11

When should hands be washed after using gloves?

Answer 11

Hands should be washed after gloves are removed.

Question 12

When should hands be washed between treating patients?

Answer 12

Hands should always be washed between treating patients.

Question 13

When should gloves be worn?

Answer 13

Gloves should be worn when touching blood, body fluids, contaminated articles, mucous membranes, and skin that is not intact.

Question 14

When must gloves be changed?

Answer 14

Gloves must be changed between procedures on the same patient.

Question 15

What is the purpose of wearing a gown?

Answer 15

A gown is worn to protect skin and clothing.

Question 16

When should a mask be worn?

Answer 16

A mask should be worn when a procedure is likely to cause splashes or sprays of blood or other body fluids.

Question 17

What do particulate respirators protect against?

Answer 17

Particulate respirators protect the worker against small droplet nuclei.

Question 18

What should you never do with needles after use?

Answer 18

Never recap needles after use to avoid needle sticks.

Question 19

What should be done if a needle stick occurs?

Answer 19

If a needle stick occurs, it must be reported immediately.

Question 20

How should used needles be discarded?

Answer 20

Discard in labeled, puncture-resistant containers after use.

Question 21

Where should containers for needles be kept?

Answer 21

Containers should be kept close to the area where needles are being used.

Question 22

What should never be done with the same needle?

Answer 22

Never use the same needle for different patients.

Question 23

What should not be done with needles using hands?

Answer 23

Do not bend or break needles with hands.

Question 24

How should contaminated materials be handled?

Answer 24

Always handle very carefully to keep the contamination from spreading to other materials.

Question 25

What should be done with single-use contaminated equipment?

Answer 25

It must be discarded properly.

Question 26

What is required for reusable contaminated equipment?

Answer 26

It must be cleaned or sterilized before being used again.

Question 27

How should contaminated linens be handled?

Answer 27

They must be handled with gloves and placed in a labeled biohazard bag that won’t leak.

Question 28

What should be done with contaminated linens?

Answer 28

They are thrown away or placed in a labeled bag to be sent for decontamination.

Question 29

Where should other linens used daily be placed?

Answer 29

They must be placed in a bin located in the treatment room for cleaning before reuse.

Question 30

When should linens be changed?

Answer 30

Linens should be changed before treating each patient.

Question 31

How should sharp equipment like needles be disposed of?

Answer 31

It must be placed in a puncture-resistant container.

Question 32

How should supplies be used?

Answer 32

Supplies should be used for only one patient.

Question 33

What should be done with used supplies?

Answer 33

They should be sent to be re-sterilized or thrown away.

Question 34

What should be done with alpha-cradles?

Answer 34

They cannot be reused and must be thrown away.

Question 35

Can vac-locks be reused?

Answer 35

Yes, but they must be properly cleaned between patients.

Question 36

What should be done with patient blood and body fluid leaks?

Answer 36

They should be cleaned up immediately.

Question 37

What cleaning solutions should be used for spills?

Answer 37

Use proper disinfectants or a bleach solution.