Aseptic Surgery Prep Flashcards

1
Q

Define sterilization

A

the process of destroying all microorganisms on or in an object

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define disinfection

A

anything less than sterilization

  • high-level disinfectants kill any microorganisms present except large #s of bacterial spores
  • intermediate-level disinfectants typically will not kill bacterial spores
  • low-level disinfectants kill most vegetative bacteria as well as some fungi/viruses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How does cleaning differ from decontamination?

A

cleaning is the removal of gross inorganic/organic debris, while decontamination is the removal of sufficient microbes to render equipment safe to handle or discard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define antiseptic and surgical asepsis

A

Antiseptic: prevents or reduces growth or action of pathogenic organisms on living tissue

Surgical asepsis: complete absence of contamination by pathogenic organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Hair removal from the surgical site should be performed during the preoperative period, which is how long?

A

within 4 hours of the procedure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why should application of antiseptics ot the patient’s surgical site always be preceded by a decontamination step?

A

because antiseptics used for skin are not active in a dirty environment containing organic material

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why might an alcohol-based hand rub method be superior to a medicated soap or scrub like Chlorhexedine?

A

prolonged antimicrobial effect, decreased time, water usage, cost, carbon footprint, and decreased chance of recontamination by Pseudomonas spp or gram neg bacteria in rinse water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why shouldn’t linens and paper wrapping be used with hydrogen peroxide gas, plasma, or vapor sterilization?

A

because of the possibility of absorption of the hydrogen peroxide, which could negatively impact the efficacy of the process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe 3 main types of instrument sterilization

A
  • Cold: soaking instruments in disinfectant, not rx for equipment that, if contaminated, would carry risk for significant detrimental sequelae (high-level disinfection)
  • Steam: most common, for heat/moisture stable items, kill microbes thru coagulation and denaturation of proteins
  • Ethylene oxide: sterilizes by way of alkylation of proteins and nucleic acids, obstructing cell metabolism and reproduction; for items that cannot be steam sterilized - mutagenic/carcinogenic/neurologic hazard
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is flash sterilization?

A

immediate-use steam sterilization; for items that are not intended to be stored later - higher temp/shorter cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the differences between physical, chemical, and biologic sterilization indicators?

A

Physical - monitors assoc. w/ the specific sterilization unit being used

Chemical - react to specific parameters that are critical to the sterilization process, typically by color change (i.e. color-changing tape)

Biologic - best method of determining efficacy- contained biologic organism that is cultured after the sterilization process to deterimine viability; expensive and time-consuming

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly