Infection Control and Sterilization Practices Quiz

Thorough handwashing with soap and water is recommended for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove dirt, grease, and microbes from the hands.

Sterilization aims to eradicate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, from surfaces and instruments to prevent the transmission of infections.

Surfaces in healthcare settings should be cleaned and disinfected using an appropriate disinfectant cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions to effectively eliminate pathogens.

The primary objective of infection control in healthcare settings is to minimize the transmission of infectious agents between patients, healthcare workers, and the environment to prevent healthcare-associated infections.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) serves to create a barrier between the wearer and infectious agents, thereby preventing the transmission of microorganisms between patients and healthcare workers.

Semi-critical items, such as blood pressure cuffs, come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin and therefore require high-level disinfection or sterilization to prevent cross-contamination.

Steam sterilization, also known as autoclaving, is recommended to be performed at 134°C for 3 minutes to ensure effective sterilization of instruments and equipment.

Critical items, such as disposable thermometer probe covers, come into contact with sterile tissues or the vascular system and therefore must be sterilized before use to prevent the introduction of pathogens.

Most disinfectants require a minimum contact time of 1 minute to effectively kill microorganisms and pathogens present on surfaces.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical sterilant commonly used in healthcare facilities for the sterilization of heat-sensitive medical devices and instruments.

Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is suitable for sterilizing heat-sensitive medical devices as it penetrates packaging and effectively kills microorganisms without damaging delicate materials.

An ideal disinfectant should effectively kill microorganisms while being non-toxic to humans and safe for use on surfaces and equipment.

If a sterilization indicator indicates that the required parameters for sterilization were not met, the appropriate action is to re-sterilize the items before use to ensure they are free from microbial contamination.

Glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant commonly used for the sterilization of heat-sensitive medical devices and instruments due to its effectiveness against a wide range of microorganisms.

Biohazardous waste in healthcare facilities should be disposed of through methods such as incineration or using approved medical waste disposal services to prevent the spread of infectious agents and protect public health and safety.