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Questions and Answers
What types of microorganisms can chemical detergents effectively kill?
Which agent is classified as modifying proteins?
Which statement about sterilization monitoring is true?
What is the primary use of glutaraldehyde in a healthcare setting?
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What does a biological indicator (BI) specifically assess during sterilization?
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Which agent acts as both a skin antiseptic and a staining agent?
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What is the purpose of using chemical agents like alcohols in decontamination processes?
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What can be concluded about the relationship between disposable and reusable items in the context of decontamination?
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What is the primary purpose of sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization procedures?
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Which of the following statements about disinfection is true?
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How does sterilization differ from disinfection?
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Which technique is used to clean and scrub instruments to remove contaminants?
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Which statement about disinfectants is correct?
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What role do antiseptics play compared to disinfectants?
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What is the key characteristic of a sporicidal agent?
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What is the main reason why thorough cleaning is important before high-level disinfection and sterilization?
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Study Notes
Infection Control Levels
- Sanitization involves cleaning and scrubbing instruments and equipment to remove contaminants.
- Disinfection uses disinfectants to kill germs on non-living surfaces (inanimate objects).
- Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores.
Sterilization Techniques
- Physical Sterilization uses techniques such as heat, radiation, and filtration.
- Chemical Sterilization uses chemical agents like disinfectants and antiseptics to eliminate microorganisms.
Disinfectants vs. Antiseptics
- Disinfectants are used to kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces.
- Antiseptics kill microorganisms on living tissue and skin.
Sterilization Principles
- Sterilization eliminates bacterial spores through the combination of high heat and pressure, or strong chemical compounds.
- Sterilization is crucial for reusable medical devices that may come in contact with non-intact skin.
- Disinfectants are suitable for general-purpose disinfection of building and fitting surfaces, and purposes that do not come in contact with non-intact skin.
Types of Disinfectants
- 70% Ethanol: Fast acting, no staining, used as a skin antiseptic and disinfectant on inanimate surfaces.
- Iodine (betadine): Skin antiseptic, used as a tincture.
- Benzalkonium chloride (Dettol): Disinfectant.
- Hypochlorite (Clorox): Disinfection of surfaces, blood spills, chlorination of drinking water, and swimming pools.
Chemical Sterilization
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Aldehydes:
- Formaldehyde (formalin): surface disinfectant
- Glutaraldehyde (CIDEX): 10 times more effective than formaldehyde, used in hospitals to sterilize respiratory therapy equipment, endoscopes, and hemodialysis equipment
- Crystal violet: Skin antiseptic
Sterilization Monitoring
- Physical indicators: Monitor the sterilization process.
- Chemical indicators: Monitor the presence of a chemical agent that indicates sterilization has occurred.
- Biological indicators (BIs): Assess the killing of known highly resistant, non-pathogenic bacterial spores directly.
Biological Indicators (BIs)
- Spore Tests: Monitor the efficacy of sterilization processes.
- Weekly Monitoring: Mandatory in oral healthcare facilities.
- Maintenance: Essential for machine functionality.
- Implant Quarantine: If a spore test fails, implants should be quarantined until results of a re-test are available.
Important Considerations
- Reusable vs. disposable: Choose the appropriate sterilization method based on whether the equipment is reusable or disposable.
- Decontamination vs. cleaning: Decontamination removes infectious agents from surfaces. Cleaning removes visible dirt and grime and may not be enough to eliminate microorganisms.
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Description
Test your knowledge on infection control levels, including sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization techniques. This quiz also explores the differences between disinfectants and antiseptics, as well as the principles behind effective sterilization methods. Perfect for healthcare professionals and students in the medical field.
