L13_Sterilization, Disinfection, and Antisepsis

Question 1

What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?

Answer 1

Disinfection-does not necessarily kill all microorganisms (spores)
Sterilization-Kills all forms of microbial life

Question 2

What does antisepsis refer to?

Answer 2

the reduction of microorganisms on living tissue/skin. Antiseptics do not kill spores and cannot be used as disinfectants

Question 3

What type of treatment should critical items receive in between use?

Answer 3

Items that enter normally sterile parts of the body should preferably be sterilized in between uses

Question 4

What type of treatment should semi-critical items receive?

Answer 4

Item that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin should be treated with a high level disinfectant (endoscopes)

Question 5

what is a type of sterilization used in the OR that allows for rapid sterilization of dropped equipment?

Answer 5

Flash Sterilization - 270 F at 27-28psi for 3 min

Question 6

Is pasteurization a sterilization technique?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

What is irradiation treatment generally used for?

Answer 7

Blood products and food

Question 8

Of the following, which can be used on living tissue: Alcohols, formaldehyde, iodophors, gluteraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, phenols and phenolics, Quaternary ammonium compounds, ethylene oxide, triclosan, heavy metals, peracetic acid, plasma sterilization, phenolic derivatives, chlorohexidine

Answer 8

Alcohols, chlorohexidine, iodophors, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, heavy metals, phenolic derivatives

Question 9

What is hexachlorophene used for?

Answer 9

staphylococcal skin decolonization before surgery

Question 10

What is chlorohexidine used for?

Answer 10

Skin antisepsis

Question 11

What is the only liquid chemical disinfectant that can be considered a sterilant?

Answer 11

Cidex (aldehydes)

Question 12

What is the general use for Quats

Answer 12

surface decontamination (floors, walls, equipment wipedown) (also found in toothpaste)

Question 13

Are hand sanitizer effective when hands are visibly dirty?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What is the main advantage of hydrogen peroxide

Answer 14

gets dirty and debris out of wound, doesnt do a great job of actually killing.

Question 15

What does the STERAD sterilization system employ?

Answer 15

Hydrogen peroxide plasma, can be used in OR for quick instrument processing for devices without lumen.