Infection Prevention

Question 1

1st essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 1

Infectious agent (bacteria, fungi, virus, protozoa)
-clinical identification of lesions

Question 2

2nd essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 2

Reservoirs (people, equipment, instrument, dental unit water lines)
-health of dental team (immunizations)

Question 3

3rd essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 3

Port of exit (body fluids, skin and mucous membrane, droplets and splatter)
-waste disposal

Question 4

4th essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 4

Transmission (direct contact, indirect contact, coughing, sneezing)
-control of aerosols

Question 5

5th essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 5

Port of entry (body fluids, skin and mucous membranes, droplets and splatter, needles stick, inhalation)
-immunizations

Question 6

6th essential link in infectious process chain:

Answer 6

Susceptible host (immunosuppressed, medically compromised, elderly, pre existing transmissible disease, non vaccinated)
-treatment of secondary infection

Question 7

Standard precautions/routine practices

Answer 7

A set of infection control/precautions that when used consistently ensure the safe delivery of oral healthcare

Question 8

Things standard precautions apply to (3):

Answer 8

-blood/all moist body substances
-non intact skin
-mucous membranes or diseases spread by droplet or contact

Question 9

Critical items

Answer 9

-penetrate soft tissue or bone
-sterilization
-ex. Surgical instruments, periodontal scalers, surgical burs

Question 10

Semi critical items

Answer 10

-contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin
-sterilization or high level disinfectant
-ex. Dental mouth mirrors, amalgam condensers, dental hand pieces, most hand instruments

Question 11

Non critical items

Answer 11

-contact intact skin
-low to intermediate level disinfectant
-ex. X-ray head, blood pressure cuff, face bow

Question 12

Protection of the clinician (7)

Answer 12

-immunizations/periodic testing
-work restrictions
-ppe
-personal hygiene
-hand care
-policies and procedures
-evidence based practices (ex. product selection)

Question 13

Water line maintenance

Answer 13

-beginning of each session: 2 minutes
-between clients: 20 seconds

Question 14

Direct contact

Answer 14

-Person to person (or through blood, oral fluids, or other patient materials)

Question 15

Indirect contact

Answer 15

-something in between person to person (instruments, equipment, environmental surfaces)

Question 16

Factors influencing the development of infection (4)

Answer 16

-number of organisms/duration of exposure
-the strength (virulence) of the organism
-immune status of host
-host general physical health and nutritional status

Question 17

Aerosol production

Answer 17

Particle less than 50 micrometers in diameter, many less than 5 micrometers

Question 18

Droplet/splatter production

Answer 18

Particles greater than 50 micrometers (visible)

Question 19

Why is it important to sanitize items prior to sterilization?

Answer 19

For the removal of organic debris

Question 20

Most common method of sterilization?

Answer 20

Steam autoclave (heat based sterilization)
-uses (external and internal) chemical indicators and biological indicators

Question 21

Why are items bagged prior to sterilization?

Answer 21

To keep items sterile until opened

Question 22

Fomite

Answer 22

An object or surface that can carry and spread germs (ex. dental chair, instruments)

Question 23

Vector

Answer 23

An organism that spreads germs from one host to another

Question 24

Reservoir

Answer 24

A place where germs can live and multiply (ex. Stagnant waterlines)

Question 25

Resident flora

Answer 25

-Microorganisms that normally live on your skin
-harmless
-not easily removed by hand washing

Question 26

Transient flora

Answer 26

-microorganisms that you pick up from touching surfaces
-temporary and can be easily removed by washing hands
-more likely to cause infections

Question 27

When to change masks?

Answer 27

-when damp
-when soiled
-between clients

Question 28

Preprocedural rinses and dentitions

Answer 28

-permanent: antimicrobial rinse
-mixed: brush
-primary: encouraged to brush

Question 29

Why do we preform risk assessments when confirming appointment?

Answer 29

-assess for symptoms of communicable diseases or acute respiratory infections

Question 30

When should sterilized instruments be unwrapped?

Answer 30

After client is seated but before requesting clinical dental hygiene staff assistance

Question 31

When should HVE be used?

Answer 31

Aerosol procedures (powered instrumentation, air polishing, rinsing during out and fissure sealant placement and rubber cup polish)

Question 32

a

Answer 32

Use a spore test in PCD at beginning of each day and when changing load types

Question 33

b

Answer 33

Use internal chemical indicator (class v) in the PCD at the beginning of each day

Question 34

c

Answer 34

Instruments are quarantined until BI indicator and chemical indicator results are available

Question 35

d

Answer 35

Use class V indicator for each load

Question 36

e

Answer 36

Chemical indicator (class I) on outside of each bagged item

Question 37

f

Answer 37

Internal chemical indicator (class IV) on the outside of each bagged item

Question 38

Donning PPE (5)

Answer 38

• hand hygiene
• gown
• mask
• glasses
• gloves

Question 39

Doffing PPE (6)

Answer 39

• gloves
• gown
• hand hygiene
• glasses
• mask
• hand hygiene

Question 40

Hepatitis incubation period

Answer 40

15-50 days (average 28)

Question 41

Tuberculosis incubation period

Answer 41

2-10 weeks

Question 42

Blood borne pathogens for concern

Answer 42

• HIV
• HBV
• HCV