Principles of asepsis

Question 1

Asepsis

Answer 1

absence of microorganisms that cause
disease

“asepsis is a situation or state of being” vs antisepsis is a process -according to karindi

Asepsis ≠ sterile

Question 2

Aseptic technique

Answer 2

method to prevent contamination by
microorganisms

“a method to retain asepsis”

Question 3

Antisepsis

Answer 3

exclusion, destruction, or inhibition of growth or multiplication of microorganisms from body tissues and fluids

“asepsis is a situation” vs antisepsis is a process -according to karindi

Question 4

Antiseptics

Answer 4

chemical compounds inhibiting the growth of microorganisms without necessarily killing them (but also killing them).

ie. iodine (betadine)
alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol)
chlorhexidine (hibiscrub)
alcohol-based solutions

Question 5

Sterile

Answer 5

free of living organisms

Asepsis ≠ sterile

Question 6

To sterilize

Answer 6

to render an object free of living organisms.

to make an object sterile (free of living organisms) (destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa)

Terms ‘’to sterilize’’ and ‘’to disinfect’’ are used to describe inanimate objects.

Question 7

Sterile technique

Answer 7

method by which contamination with microorganisms is prevented to maintain sterility throughout the surgical procedure

To prevent the transmission of microorganisms into the body during
invasive procedures.

Question 8

Disinfection

Answer 8

chemical or mechanical destruction of pathogens

Terms ‘’to sterilize’’ and ‘’to disinfect’’ are used to describe inanimate objects.

Question 9

Decontamination

Answer 9

cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing processes carried out to make contaminated items safe to handle

Question 10

Define infection.

Answer 10

Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses,
parasites) that are not normally present at the site.

Potentially devastating and challenging complication of surgery.

In hospital settings, transmission of microorganisms is most commonly contact-related.

Question 11

how frequently do surgical gloves break during surgeries?

Answer 11

studies show that as much of 25% of the time

80% of the time the break is not even noticed

Question 12

Gowns are considered sterile only from

Answer 12

mid-chest to waist and from gloved
hand to 5 cm above the elbow

Question 13

Levels of sterility and disinfection (3)

Answer 13

Critical
Semicritical
Noncritical

Question 14

Describe Levels of sterility and disinfection-level critical:

Answer 14

equipment/materials entering the body beneath the skin or mucous membranes require sterilization and are handled using sterile technique (e.g. suture materials, intravenous catheters)

Question 15

Describe Levels of sterility and disinfection-level semicritical:

Answer 15

equipment coming into contact with skin/mucous membranes without penetration must be cleaned and disinfected
(e.g. endotracheal tubes)

Question 16

Describe Levels of sterility and disinfection-level noncritical:

Answer 16

instruments that come into contact with mucous membranes or intact skin not directly associated with surgery should be cleaned and disinfected (e.g. laryngoscope)

Question 17

Methods of sterilization: (5)

Answer 17

• Steam
• Chemicals
• Plasma
• Ionizing radiation
• Cold chemical sterilization

Question 18

Steam sterilization Destroys all known microorganisms by

Answer 18

coagulation and cellular protein denaturation

Autoclave
* Gravity displacement sterilizer (15-30 min at 121°C)
* Prevacuum sterilizer (3-4 min at 132-135 °C)

Question 19

Sterilization indicators Allow monitoring of

Answer 19

the effectiveness of sterilization

Indicators may undergo a chemical or biological change in response to time and temperature.

Question 20

Failure to achieve sterility (autoclave failure) may be the result of: (5)

Answer 20

• Improper cleaning
• Mechanical failure
• Improper use of equipment
• Poor loading technique
• Not understanding the concepts of sterilization processes

Question 21

in case of abdominal procedures in male dogs what preoperative procedure should be considered

Answer 21

Prepuce can be flushed with antiseptic solution