1. What is the most effective method of sterilization for tattoo equipment?
Autoclave sterilization using steam under pressure at 121°C (250°F) for 15-30
minutes or 132°C (270°F) for 3-10 minutes.
2. What temperature must an autoclave reach to effectively sterilize
equipment? 121°C (250°F) or 132°C (270°F) depending on the cycle type.
3. How often should biological indicators (spore tests) be used to test
autoclave effectiveness? At least weekly, and with every load containing
implantable items.
4. What type of bacteria is used in biological indicators for autoclave
testing? Geobacillus stearothermophilus (formerly Bacillus
stearothermophilus).
5. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection? Sterilization
kills all microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces microorganisms
but may not kill all spores.
6. What is the minimum contact time for high-level disinfectants? Typically
10-45 minutes depending on the specific product and manufacturer's
instructions.
7. What does "single-use" or "disposable" mean? Items designed for one-
time use only and must be discarded after use on a single client.
8. Can single-use needles be re-sterilized and reused? No, single-use needles
must never be reused under any circumstances.
9. What is cross-contamination? The transfer of microorganisms from one
surface, person, or object to another.
10. What are Universal Precautions? An approach to infection control
treating all human blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
,11. What replaced Universal Precautions? Standard Precautions, which
combine Universal Precautions with Body Substance Isolation.
12. What is the proper way to clean equipment before sterilization?
Remove all visible debris using appropriate cleaning agents and mechanical
action (scrubbing).
13. What is an ultrasonic cleaner used for? To remove debris from
instruments using high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution.
14. How long should items remain in an ultrasonic cleaner? According to
manufacturer's instructions, typically 5-15 minutes.
15. What should be done with equipment after ultrasonic cleaning? Rinse
thoroughly, dry completely, and package for sterilization.
16. What is the purpose of indicator tape on sterilization pouches? To show
that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process (changes color).
17. Does indicator tape guarantee sterility? No, it only indicates exposure to
heat, not achievement of sterilization parameters.
18. How should sterilized items be stored? In a clean, dry area away from
moisture and contamination, in sealed pouches.
19. What is the shelf life of sterilized packaged items? Event-related, not
time-related; items remain sterile until the package is compromised.
20. What are three conditions that compromise sterility of packaged items?
Moisture/wetness, torn or punctured packaging, and visible contamination.
21. What personal protective equipment (PPE) should tattooers wear?
Gloves, and when splash/spray is anticipated: masks, eye protection, and
protective clothing.
22. When should gloves be changed during a tattoo procedure? When torn,
contaminated, or when leaving and returning to the work area.
23. What type of gloves should be used for tattooing? Medical-grade, single-
use, disposable gloves (latex, nitrile, or vinyl).
24. Can the same gloves be used for multiple clients? No, gloves must be
changed between clients.
25. What is the proper hand hygiene procedure? Wash with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
, 26. When should hands be washed? Before and after client contact, after
removing gloves, and after touching contaminated items.
27. What is medical asepsis? Practices that reduce the number and spread of
microorganisms.
28. What is surgical asepsis? Practices that eliminate all microorganisms
including spores.
29. What level of asepsis is required for tattooing? Medical asepsis with
sterile equipment and proper infection control practices.
30. What is the "clean to dirty" principle? Working from the cleanest areas
to the dirtiest to prevent contamination spread.
31. What are bloodborne pathogens? Pathogenic microorganisms present in
blood that can cause disease (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV).
32. What is the most common bloodborne pathogen exposure in tattooing?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), though Hepatitis C (HCV) is also a significant
concern.
33. What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B? 45-180 days, average of
60-90 days.
34. Can Hepatitis B survive outside the body? Yes, for at least 7 days on
surfaces at room temperature.
35. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis B? Yes, the HBV vaccine series (3 doses)
provides immunity.
36. Should tattoo artists be vaccinated against Hepatitis B? Yes, vaccination
is strongly recommended for all tattoo artists.
37. What is the incubation period for Hepatitis C? 14-180 days, average of
45 days.
38. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis C? No, there is currently no vaccine for
Hepatitis C.
39. What is HIV? Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the immune
system and can lead to AIDS.
40. How long can HIV survive outside the body? HIV is fragile and typically
survives only minutes to hours outside the body in dried blood.
Autoclave sterilization using steam under pressure at 121°C (250°F) for 15-30
minutes or 132°C (270°F) for 3-10 minutes.
2. What temperature must an autoclave reach to effectively sterilize
equipment? 121°C (250°F) or 132°C (270°F) depending on the cycle type.
3. How often should biological indicators (spore tests) be used to test
autoclave effectiveness? At least weekly, and with every load containing
implantable items.
4. What type of bacteria is used in biological indicators for autoclave
testing? Geobacillus stearothermophilus (formerly Bacillus
stearothermophilus).
5. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection? Sterilization
kills all microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces microorganisms
but may not kill all spores.
6. What is the minimum contact time for high-level disinfectants? Typically
10-45 minutes depending on the specific product and manufacturer's
instructions.
7. What does "single-use" or "disposable" mean? Items designed for one-
time use only and must be discarded after use on a single client.
8. Can single-use needles be re-sterilized and reused? No, single-use needles
must never be reused under any circumstances.
9. What is cross-contamination? The transfer of microorganisms from one
surface, person, or object to another.
10. What are Universal Precautions? An approach to infection control
treating all human blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
,11. What replaced Universal Precautions? Standard Precautions, which
combine Universal Precautions with Body Substance Isolation.
12. What is the proper way to clean equipment before sterilization?
Remove all visible debris using appropriate cleaning agents and mechanical
action (scrubbing).
13. What is an ultrasonic cleaner used for? To remove debris from
instruments using high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution.
14. How long should items remain in an ultrasonic cleaner? According to
manufacturer's instructions, typically 5-15 minutes.
15. What should be done with equipment after ultrasonic cleaning? Rinse
thoroughly, dry completely, and package for sterilization.
16. What is the purpose of indicator tape on sterilization pouches? To show
that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process (changes color).
17. Does indicator tape guarantee sterility? No, it only indicates exposure to
heat, not achievement of sterilization parameters.
18. How should sterilized items be stored? In a clean, dry area away from
moisture and contamination, in sealed pouches.
19. What is the shelf life of sterilized packaged items? Event-related, not
time-related; items remain sterile until the package is compromised.
20. What are three conditions that compromise sterility of packaged items?
Moisture/wetness, torn or punctured packaging, and visible contamination.
21. What personal protective equipment (PPE) should tattooers wear?
Gloves, and when splash/spray is anticipated: masks, eye protection, and
protective clothing.
22. When should gloves be changed during a tattoo procedure? When torn,
contaminated, or when leaving and returning to the work area.
23. What type of gloves should be used for tattooing? Medical-grade, single-
use, disposable gloves (latex, nitrile, or vinyl).
24. Can the same gloves be used for multiple clients? No, gloves must be
changed between clients.
25. What is the proper hand hygiene procedure? Wash with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
, 26. When should hands be washed? Before and after client contact, after
removing gloves, and after touching contaminated items.
27. What is medical asepsis? Practices that reduce the number and spread of
microorganisms.
28. What is surgical asepsis? Practices that eliminate all microorganisms
including spores.
29. What level of asepsis is required for tattooing? Medical asepsis with
sterile equipment and proper infection control practices.
30. What is the "clean to dirty" principle? Working from the cleanest areas
to the dirtiest to prevent contamination spread.
31. What are bloodborne pathogens? Pathogenic microorganisms present in
blood that can cause disease (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV).
32. What is the most common bloodborne pathogen exposure in tattooing?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), though Hepatitis C (HCV) is also a significant
concern.
33. What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B? 45-180 days, average of
60-90 days.
34. Can Hepatitis B survive outside the body? Yes, for at least 7 days on
surfaces at room temperature.
35. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis B? Yes, the HBV vaccine series (3 doses)
provides immunity.
36. Should tattoo artists be vaccinated against Hepatitis B? Yes, vaccination
is strongly recommended for all tattoo artists.
37. What is the incubation period for Hepatitis C? 14-180 days, average of
45 days.
38. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis C? No, there is currently no vaccine for
Hepatitis C.
39. What is HIV? Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the immune
system and can lead to AIDS.
40. How long can HIV survive outside the body? HIV is fragile and typically
survives only minutes to hours outside the body in dried blood.
