Infection Control — Dental Assistant practice questions

Mechanical, chemical, and biological monitors are all required to:

1. Replace each other
2. Be performed only annually
3. Provide layered verification that sterilization parameters were achieved
4. Confirm only that the operator pressed Start

Answer: C — Provide layered verification that sterilization parameters were achieved

CDC requires all three types: mechanical (gauges), chemical (indicators), and biological (spore tests).

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires that every dental office maintain:

1. Only a list of patient allergies
2. MSDS in the autoclave room
3. SDS for prescription drugs only
4. A written hazard communication program with chemical inventory, labels, SDS access, and employee training

Answer: D — A written hazard communication program with chemical inventory, labels, SDS access, and employee training

HazCom requires a written program, labels, employee access to Safety Data Sheets, and training on chemicals used in the workplace.

The chain of infection includes all of the following links EXCEPT:

1. Reservoir, portal of exit, and mode of transmission
2. Portal of entry and susceptible host
3. Infectious agent
4. Patient's dental insurance status

Answer: D — Patient's dental insurance status

A, B, and C are all genuine links in the chain of infection model (infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host). D is correct as the exception: insurance status has no role in disease transmission and is not part of the infection chain.

Standard precautions mean:

1. Treat known infections only
2. Treat ALL body fluids as potentially infectious
3. PPE optional
4. Patient-specific

Answer: B — Treat ALL body fluids as potentially infectious

A/C/D) Wrong. B) Correct.

Donning of PPE for routine chairside dentistry should follow the sequence:

1. Gloves first, then gown, mask, eyewear
2. Mask, gloves, gown, eyewear
3. Gown, mask, eye protection, then gloves
4. Order does not matter

Answer: C — Gown, mask, eye protection, then gloves

CDC donning sequence: gown → mask → eyewear → gloves. Doffing is reverse and most contaminated items off first.

You finish a patient + need to clean operatory. You should:

1. Use same gloves
2. Remove + dispose of gloves, wash hands, then put on UTILITY gloves for cleaning
3. Bare hands
4. Skip cleaning

Answer: B — Remove + dispose of gloves, wash hands, then put on UTILITY gloves for cleaning

A/C/D) Wrong. B) Correct — utility gloves heavier + reusable.

CDC recommends biological monitoring (spore testing) of dental sterilizers at minimum:

1. Annually
2. Only when a load contains surgical instruments
3. Once when the sterilizer is purchased
4. Weekly

Answer: D — Weekly

At least weekly spore testing per CDC; more frequently if implants or after maintenance.

Alcohol-based hand rub is appropriate when:

1. Hands are visibly soiled with blood
2. Always preferred over soap and water
3. Hands are not visibly soiled and no contact with blood/saliva is suspected
4. Performing oral surgery scrub

Answer: C — Hands are not visibly soiled and no contact with blood/saliva is suspected

Soap and water is required when hands are visibly soiled or after contact with blood/saliva and for surgical scrubs; alcohol rub is for routine decontamination with non-soiled hands.

An ultrasonic cleaner is used to:

1. Sterilize instruments
2. Disinfect operatory surfaces
3. Remove debris before sterilization via cavitation; it is NOT a sterilizer
4. Replace hand scrubbing during a surgical scrub

Answer: C — Remove debris before sterilization via cavitation; it is NOT a sterilizer

Ultrasonic cleaning reduces handling of sharp contaminated instruments and improves cleaning; instruments still must be sterilized afterward.

OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard primarily protects against:

1. Air pollution
2. HBV + HCV + HIV exposure
3. Dental chemicals
4. Patient privacy

Answer: B — HBV + HCV + HIV exposure

A/C/D) Wrong. B) Correct.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

29 CFR 1910.1030. Requires Exposure Control Plan, hepatitis B vaccination offered, training, PPE provided + maintained, sharps safety.

Sharps disposal?

Immediately into FDA-cleared puncture-resistant container. Never recap unless one-handed scoop technique. Replace at 3/4 full.

PPE for chairside?

Mask + eye protection (or face shield) + gloves + protective clothing. Change masks between patients or when wet. Hand hygiene between glove changes.

What are the 6 links in the chain of infection?

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host. Breaking any one link stops disease spread.