75 Questions
Which of the following best describes a sterilant?
A method of disinfection that kills both vegetative cells and spores
What is the main difference between a disinfectant and an antiseptic?
Disinfectants are used on inanimate surfaces, while antiseptics are used on animate surfaces
Which of the following can be considered a method of disinfection?
Spraying a surface with 70% ethanol
What is the primary use of an antiseptic?
To disinfect wounds and mucous membranes
Which of the following is an example of a disinfectant?
Spraying a surface with 70% ethanol
Which method of sterilization uses ethylene oxide or formaldehyde gases?
Autoclaves
Which method of sterilization is suitable for organic compounds that would degrade under high temperatures?
Filtration
Which method is recommended for items that cannot be sterilized or are noncritical items?
Barrier protection
What are the microorganisms of concern in dental unit waterlines?
All of the above
Which of the following is a primary source of microorganisms in dental unit waterlines?
Municipal water supply
How long should water and air be discharged after each patient from any device connected to the dental water system?
20-30 seconds
Which agency regulates disinfectants and sterilants?
EPA
Which agency regulates antiseptics?
FDA
What are the ideal properties of a disinfectant?
Non-toxic to humans
What are the ideal properties of an antiseptic?
Active against a broad spectrum of pathogens
What can be done to test the water quality in dental units?
All of the above
Which of the following is NOT an ideal property of a disinfectant?
Toxic to humans
Which agency is responsible for regulating antiseptics?
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Which of the following is NOT an ideal property of a disinfectant?
Toxic to humans
Which of the following is an ideal property of an antiseptic?
Non-staining
Which of the following is an ideal property of an antiseptic?
High therapeutic index with the ability to kill -cidal and limit -static growth of organism.
What is the recommended concentration for disinfection of blood spills with sodium hypochlorite?
1:10
Which of the following is a characteristic of iodine as an antiseptic?
Bactericidal in 1 minute and kills spores in 15 minutes
Which method is recommended for disinfection or sterilization of instruments especially those that cannot withstand high temperatures?
Aldehydes
Which of the following is a potential side effect of using iodine as an antiseptic?
Hypersensitivity reactions
What is the recommended dilution for sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant?
1:10
Which of the following materials are bleach solutions corrosive to?
Aluminum, silver, and stainless steel
What is the primary function of halogens and halogen-releasing compounds as antiseptics?
Denaturing proteins and nucleic acids
What is the main function of superoxidized water as a disinfectant?
To denature proteins and nucleic acids
What can accelerate the decomposition rate of chlorine in superoxidized water?
Sunlight exposure
What is the contact time required for achieving a high level of disinfection with superoxidized water?
10 minutes
Which compound forms crosslinks in proteins and nucleic acids, and can act in alkylation of proteins?
Aldehydes
What is the recommended use of superoxidized water in dental settings?
Removal of bacteria from dental water lines
What can cause failures of disinfection with aldehydes?
All of the above
What is the stability period of superoxidized water when stored correctly?
14 days
Which of the following is NOT a recommended use of alcohol-based hand rubs?
Sterilant
What is the recommended method to increase penetration of aldehydes into devices for disinfection?
Use of closed, circulating baths, with longer contact time
Which compound is a bisphenol and has been used in toothpastes and soaps?
Triclosan
Which of the following is a phenolic-related compound still used as a disinfectant?
o-phenylphenol
What is the primary use of aldehydes as disinfectants or sterilants?
Disinfection of dental instruments
Which of the following compounds can disrupt cell walls and membranes, denature and inactivate enzymes?
Phenol
Which compound has corrosive effects on the tissues, high toxicity through the skin, and has carcinogenic effects?
Phenol
Which of the following is a recommended concentration for alcohol-based hand rubs?
60-90%
Which of the following compounds is derived from coal tar distillates and is used in Lysol?
Xylenols and Cresol
Which of the following is true about hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)?
All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a recommended method for disinfection or sterilization of instruments?
Alcohol-based hand rubs
Which of the following is a property of alcohols as antiseptics and disinfectants?
They denature proteins and precipitate nucleic acids and cause membrane damage
Which of the following is true about alcohol-based hand rubs and C. difficile spores?
Alcohol-based hand rubs have no effect on C. difficile spores.
Which of the following compounds should not be used in nurseries or near infants due to an association with hyperbilirubinemia?
Phenol
Which of the following is true about the activity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on bacteria?
H2O2 has greater activity on Gram-positive bacteria.
Which of the following is true about the mechanism of action of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on bacteria?
H2O2 acts as an oxidant.
Which of the following is true about the activity of biguanides?
Biguanides have a low irritation and broad spectrum of activity.
Which of the following is true about the preferred agent for skin antisepsis in many surgical procedures?
The preferred agent is chlorhexidine.
Which of the following is true about the binding of chlorhexidine to bacterial cell walls?
Chlorhexidine binds to negatively charged bacterial cell walls.
Which of the following is true about the use of biguanides in mouthwash?
Biguanides help reduce plaque and improve mild gingivitis.
Which of the following is true about the activity of chlorhexidine?
Chlorhexidine has a long persistent activity on the skin.
Which of the following is true about the combination of chlorhexidine and alcohol?
The combination enhances the activity of chlorhexidine.
Which plant extract is used as a local anesthetic and has counterirritant qualities?
Menthol
What is the mechanism of action of heavy metals like mercury and silver as disinfectants?
Reactions on thiol containing proteins
Which compound is used as a preservative in certain vaccines, antitoxins, and immune sera?
Thimerosal
Which surfactant classification includes items such as soaps and detergents?
Anionic surfactants
What happens when cationic and anionic surfactants are mixed together?
They precipitate out of solution
What is the mechanism of action for surfactants as disinfectants?
Cause microbial membrane disruption
What classification does cetylpyridium chloride belong to?
Cationic surfactants
What is the primary source of eucalyptol?
Eucalyptus plant
What is the role of monoterpenes in plant oils?
Cause membrane instability and promote the leakage of intracellular materials
Which of the following is the primary use of silver nitrate in newborns?
To prevent gonococcal ophthalmitis
What can limit the efficacy of disinfectants and antiseptics?
Intrinsic and acquired bacterial resistance mechanisms
What is an example of an intrinsic bacterial resistance mechanism?
Change in the outer membrane to prevent chemical penetration
What is an example of an acquired bacterial resistance mechanism?
Uptake of a plasmid encoding for an efflux pump
What can help improve the overall efficacy of disinfectants and antiseptics?
Proper testing and combinational treatments
What is the primary use of silver sulfadiazine?
To suppress bacterial growth in burn wounds
What are the ideal properties of a disinfectant or antiseptic?
Non-toxic to humans
What can microbes develop resistance to?
Disinfectants and antiseptics
What determines the use of a disinfectant or antiseptic?
The clinical use
Test your knowledge on sterilants, disinfectants, and antiseptics with this informative quiz! Learn about their definitions, functions, and how they differ from each other. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these important terms in the world of microbiology and hygiene.
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