Intro to Clinical Procedures Test 2
Notes Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
residual activity - ANSWER-action that continues long after the initial application, as
with disinfectants
What are characteristics of ideal surface disinfectants? - ANSWER-rapidly kills a
broad spectrum of bacteria, exhibits residual activity and minimal toxicity, does not
damage surfaces treated, is odorless, inexpensive, and simple to use. Such a
disinfectant unfortunately does not exist
T/F manufacturers often recommend the type of surface disinfectant most
appropriate for their equipment such as dental chairs and units - ANSWER-T
idophors - ANSWER-EPA registered intermediate-level hospital disinfectant with
tuberculocidal action. Used for disinfecting surfaces soiled with potentially infectious
materials. They are usually effective within 5-10 minutes. Must be mixed with soft or
distilled water since they are inactivated by hard water. They contain iodine and may
corrode or discolor certain metals or temporarily cause red or yellow stains on
clothing and other surfaces.
What may be used as an immersion disinfectant for nonhydrocolloid impressions? -
ANSWER-idophors (phenols can also be used to disinfect some impressions
depending on the impression material)
synthetic phenol compounds - ANSWER-EPA registered intermediate-level hospital
disinfectants with broad spectrum activity; phenols are used for surface disinfection
provided the surface has been thoroughly cleaned first; phenols can be used on
metal, glass, rubber, or plastic. They can also be used as a holding solution for
instruments however phenols leave a residual film on treated surfaces. Synthetic
phenol compound is prepared daily.
broad spectrum activity - ANSWER-can kill a wide range of microbes
Sodium hypochlorite - ANSWER-an intermediate level disinfectant (the main
ingredient in household bleach). Fast-acting, economical, broad-spectrum
disinfectant. Under the new CDC guidelines it is NOT an EPA-registered disinfectant.
Should household bleach be used in dental settings as a disinfectant? - ANSWER-
No; some EPA approved products may contain sodium hypochlorite but it alone is
not recommended as a disinfectant for use in dental settings.
, What are the disadvantages of sodium hypochlorite? - ANSWER-it is unstable and
needs daily preparation, it has a strong odor and is corrosive to some metals, it is
destructive to fabrics and may cause plastic chair covers to crack, and it is irritating
to the eyes and skin.
Alcohol - ANSWER-Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol have been used over the
years as skin antiseptics and surface disinfectants. However alcohols are NOT
effective in the presence of bioburden (blood and saliva) since its rapid rate of
evaporation limits the antimicrobial activity of alcohol. Alcohols are very damaging to
certain materials (like plastic and vinyl) and the ADA, CDC, and OSAP do NOT
recommend alcohol as an environmental surface disinfectant.
Immersion disinfectants - ANSWER-chemicals on the market that can be used for
sterilization or high-level disinfection. They can be used as a sterilant to destroy all
microbial life including bacterial endospores. At weaker dilutions they are not
effective at inactivating endospores. Most immersion disinfectants are toxic and can
irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. PPE must always be worn when using these
chemicals. Used for immersion of heat-sensitive instruments. The container lid
should always be kept closed to minimize fumes.
What is the sterilization time for immersion disinfectants? - ANSWER-6-30 hours
Glutaraldehyde - ANSWER-a high-level disinfectant/sterilant. Times for disinfection
range from 10-90 minutes. Gluteraldehydes are useful for items that cannot
withstand heat sterilization. Some are only effective for 28 days after activation.
Glutaraldehyde is very toxic and fumes should be avoided. Glutaraldehyde treated
instruments should be rinsed thoroughly with water before being used on patients.
Prolonged contact with glutaraldehyde can lead to discoloration and corrosion of
instrumental surfaces and cutting edges.
Chlorine Dioxide - ANSWER-a high-level disinfectant/sterilant. They can be used as
rapid-acting environmental surface disinfectants (3 minutes) or as chemical sterilants
(6 hours).
Disadvantages of chlorine dioxide - ANSWER-Chlorine dioxide products do not
readily penetrate organic debris and must be used with a separate cleaner, it must
be prepared fresh daily, it must be used with good ventilation, and it is corrosive to
aluminum containers.
Ortho-phthalaldehyde - ANSWER-a chemical used as a high-level disinfectant. It is
effective in achieving high-level disinfection within 12 minutes at room temperature. It
is more expensive than gluteraldehyde but may be a good alternative for healthcare
workers who have a sensitivity to gluteraldehyde. It has very little odor and does not
require activation or mixing.
What are the disadvantages of ortho-phthalaldehyde? - ANSWER-the cost
(expensive), it can be used in dentistry only half as long as most gluteraldehydes, it
may stain skin and fabrics, plastics turn a blue-green color when proteins have not
been removed, and it does not have a sterilization claim.
Notes Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
residual activity - ANSWER-action that continues long after the initial application, as
with disinfectants
What are characteristics of ideal surface disinfectants? - ANSWER-rapidly kills a
broad spectrum of bacteria, exhibits residual activity and minimal toxicity, does not
damage surfaces treated, is odorless, inexpensive, and simple to use. Such a
disinfectant unfortunately does not exist
T/F manufacturers often recommend the type of surface disinfectant most
appropriate for their equipment such as dental chairs and units - ANSWER-T
idophors - ANSWER-EPA registered intermediate-level hospital disinfectant with
tuberculocidal action. Used for disinfecting surfaces soiled with potentially infectious
materials. They are usually effective within 5-10 minutes. Must be mixed with soft or
distilled water since they are inactivated by hard water. They contain iodine and may
corrode or discolor certain metals or temporarily cause red or yellow stains on
clothing and other surfaces.
What may be used as an immersion disinfectant for nonhydrocolloid impressions? -
ANSWER-idophors (phenols can also be used to disinfect some impressions
depending on the impression material)
synthetic phenol compounds - ANSWER-EPA registered intermediate-level hospital
disinfectants with broad spectrum activity; phenols are used for surface disinfection
provided the surface has been thoroughly cleaned first; phenols can be used on
metal, glass, rubber, or plastic. They can also be used as a holding solution for
instruments however phenols leave a residual film on treated surfaces. Synthetic
phenol compound is prepared daily.
broad spectrum activity - ANSWER-can kill a wide range of microbes
Sodium hypochlorite - ANSWER-an intermediate level disinfectant (the main
ingredient in household bleach). Fast-acting, economical, broad-spectrum
disinfectant. Under the new CDC guidelines it is NOT an EPA-registered disinfectant.
Should household bleach be used in dental settings as a disinfectant? - ANSWER-
No; some EPA approved products may contain sodium hypochlorite but it alone is
not recommended as a disinfectant for use in dental settings.
, What are the disadvantages of sodium hypochlorite? - ANSWER-it is unstable and
needs daily preparation, it has a strong odor and is corrosive to some metals, it is
destructive to fabrics and may cause plastic chair covers to crack, and it is irritating
to the eyes and skin.
Alcohol - ANSWER-Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol have been used over the
years as skin antiseptics and surface disinfectants. However alcohols are NOT
effective in the presence of bioburden (blood and saliva) since its rapid rate of
evaporation limits the antimicrobial activity of alcohol. Alcohols are very damaging to
certain materials (like plastic and vinyl) and the ADA, CDC, and OSAP do NOT
recommend alcohol as an environmental surface disinfectant.
Immersion disinfectants - ANSWER-chemicals on the market that can be used for
sterilization or high-level disinfection. They can be used as a sterilant to destroy all
microbial life including bacterial endospores. At weaker dilutions they are not
effective at inactivating endospores. Most immersion disinfectants are toxic and can
irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. PPE must always be worn when using these
chemicals. Used for immersion of heat-sensitive instruments. The container lid
should always be kept closed to minimize fumes.
What is the sterilization time for immersion disinfectants? - ANSWER-6-30 hours
Glutaraldehyde - ANSWER-a high-level disinfectant/sterilant. Times for disinfection
range from 10-90 minutes. Gluteraldehydes are useful for items that cannot
withstand heat sterilization. Some are only effective for 28 days after activation.
Glutaraldehyde is very toxic and fumes should be avoided. Glutaraldehyde treated
instruments should be rinsed thoroughly with water before being used on patients.
Prolonged contact with glutaraldehyde can lead to discoloration and corrosion of
instrumental surfaces and cutting edges.
Chlorine Dioxide - ANSWER-a high-level disinfectant/sterilant. They can be used as
rapid-acting environmental surface disinfectants (3 minutes) or as chemical sterilants
(6 hours).
Disadvantages of chlorine dioxide - ANSWER-Chlorine dioxide products do not
readily penetrate organic debris and must be used with a separate cleaner, it must
be prepared fresh daily, it must be used with good ventilation, and it is corrosive to
aluminum containers.
Ortho-phthalaldehyde - ANSWER-a chemical used as a high-level disinfectant. It is
effective in achieving high-level disinfection within 12 minutes at room temperature. It
is more expensive than gluteraldehyde but may be a good alternative for healthcare
workers who have a sensitivity to gluteraldehyde. It has very little odor and does not
require activation or mixing.
What are the disadvantages of ortho-phthalaldehyde? - ANSWER-the cost
(expensive), it can be used in dentistry only half as long as most gluteraldehydes, it
may stain skin and fabrics, plastics turn a blue-green color when proteins have not
been removed, and it does not have a sterilization claim.
