Spaulding's Approach to Sterilization and Disinfection Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which statement inaccurately describes sterilization and levels of disinfection?

Low-level disinfection kills lipid or medium-sized viruses, some fungi, and vegetative bacteria.

High-level disinfection kills all pathogens but not all bacterial spores.

Sterilization is a validated process that destroys all forms of microbial life.

Intermediate-level disinfection kills mycobacteria, viruses, fungi, all vegetative bacteria, but not bacterial spores. (correct)

Which component is not included in Spaulding’s approach to sterilization and disinfection?

During the delivery of care, the most important factor determining the risk of infection from contaminated instruments is the duration of exposure.

During the course of their intended use, semi-critical items contact, but do not penetrate nonintact skin or mucous membranes.

During the course of their intended use, critical items penetrate soft and hard tissues or the vascular system.

During the course of their intended use, non-critical items come in contact with intact skin, but not mucous membranes. (correct)

Which statement inaccurately describes the sterilizing process for heat tolerant patient-care items?

Heat-tolerant patient-care items must undergo appropriate heat sterilization procedures.

Heat-tolerant patient-care items do not require specific sterilization processes. (correct)

Heat-tolerant semi-critical patient-care items, including all dental handpieces, must be heat sterilized.

Heat-tolerant critical patient-care items must be sterilized by an FDA cleared heat sterilizer.

Which method is inaccurate when disinfecting heat-sensitive critical or semi-critical, or non-critical patient-care items?

Heat-sensitive critical items can be sterilized by ethylene oxide or by immersing them in liquid chemical germicides registered by the FDA as chemical sterilants. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement inaccurately describes the use of steam sterilizers?

The majority of tabletop sterilizers used in oral healthcare settings are gravity displacement sterilizers. Signup and view all the answers

Which is not a characteristic of unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilization?

When using an unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilizer, federal, state, and local authorities must be consulted for hazardous waste disposal requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Which is an inaccurate description of the characteristics of dry heat sterilization?

The static-air type has the advantage of a shorter sterilization cycle time compared to the forced-air type. Signup and view all the answers

Which method should not be used for disinfection with an FDA-registered chemical sterilant?

Using ethylene oxide for sterilizing heat-sensitive critical items. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement does not accurately describe dry heat sterilization?

The forced-air type has the advantage of longer cycle times compared to the static-air type. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sterilization and Disinfection

Sterilization is a validated process that destroys all forms of microbial life.
High-level disinfection kills all pathogens but not all bacterial spores.
Intermediate-level disinfection kills mycobacteria, viruses, fungi, and all vegetative bacteria, but not bacterial spores.
Low-level disinfection kills lipid or medium-sized viruses, some fungi, and vegetative bacteria.

Spaulding's Approach to Sterilization and Disinfection

Critical items penetrate soft and hard tissues or the vascular system during their intended use.
Semi-critical items contact, but do not penetrate nonintact skin or mucous membranes during their intended use.
Non-critical items come in contact with intact skin, but not mucous membranes during their intended use.

Sterilizing Process for Heat Tolerant Patient-Care Items

Heat-tolerant critical patient-care items must be sterilized by an FDA cleared heat sterilizer.
Heat-tolerant semi-critical patient-care items, including all dental handpieces, must be heat sterilized.
Heat-tolerant critical and semi-critical items must be sterilized by steam, unsaturated chemical vapor, or dry heat.

Disinfecting Heat Sensitive Patient-Care Items

Heat-sensitive critical items can be sterilized by ethylene oxide or by immersing them in liquid chemical germicides registered by the FDA as chemical sterilants.
Non-critical items, when visibly soiled, must be disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital level intermediate-level disinfectant.
Unless visibly soiled, disposable barrier protection is the preferred infection control method for non-critical items.

Steam Sterilizers

Steam sterilization is the most widely used method for critical and semi-critical items that are heat and moisture tolerant.
Steam sterilization requires exposure to direct steam contact at a specified temperature and pressure for a defined period of time.
Gravity displacement steam sterilizers should be tested daily for adequate air removal.

Unsaturated Chemical-Vapor Sterilization

Unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilization involves heating a chemical solution in a closed pressurized chamber.
When using an unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilizer, federal, state, and local authorities must be consulted for hazardous waste disposal requirements.
Unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilization causes less corrosion of carbon steel instruments than steam sterilization.

Dry Heat Sterilization

Dry heat may be used to sterilize patient-care items that might be damaged by moist heat.
Dry heat has the advantages of low operating cost and being noncorrosive.
The high temperatures required for this prolonged sterilization process are not suitable for many instruments and devices.

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Description

Test your knowledge on sterilization and levels of disinfection by identifying the inaccurate statement. The quiz covers topics such as high-level disinfection, intermediate-level disinfection, and low-level disinfection.