Infection Control and Surgical Asepsis: Microbiology, HAIs, and Sterilization

What are microorganisms that live on or inside the body without causing disease called?

Normal flora

How can bacteria be classified or grouped?

All of the choices are correct (Staining, Oxygen requirements, Shape)

What type of microorganism is classified as acid-fast?

Bacterium

What is one type of fungus?

Yeasts

What are bacterial forms that are resistant to destruction and can remain viable for many years called?

Endospores

What diseases are caused by bacteria?

Tuberculosis, strep throat, and necrotizing fasciitis

What does the term 'reservoir of infection' refer to?

The place where the pathogen resides

What does the term nosocomial apply to?

Hospital acquired infections

What is an object that has been contaminated with a pathogenic organism called?

Fomite

What are particles of evaporated droplets containing microorganisms and measuring 5 µm or smaller called?

Droplet nuclei

What type of immunity is transferred from mother to child at birth or via breast milk?

Passive immunity

What does HAI stand for?

An infection that was formerly referred to as nosocomial

What is the most complete source of information about infectious diseases in the United States?

CDC

What gastrointestinal HAI causes diarrhea and is caused by a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus?

C. difficile

What are examples of opportunistic infections associated with AIDS?

Mucocutaneous Candida, disseminated herpes, cytomegalovirus, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

What is the risk of contracting HIV from an occupational needlestick injury?

Less than 1%

Which disease can be prevented by vaccination?

Hepatitis B

What type of respirator is essential for protection from exposure to tuberculosis?

Particulate respirator

Under the system of protective or neutropenic precautions, what does the 'dirty' technologist touch?

X-ray equipment

Which form of hepatitis has no vaccine?

Type C

What is the most likely mode of transmission for hepatitis A?

Vehicle or direct contact

True or False: Is there more than one type of coronavirus variant?

True

How is COVID-19 spread?

Droplet/contact

What do the standard principles of surgical asepsis include?

All of the choices are correct (Not passing between surgeon & sterile field, Never reaching across sterile field, Discarding contaminated items)

What is the quickest and most convenient method of sterilization for items that can withstand heat and moisture?

Autoclaving

What is the fastest and safest method for sterilizing items that cannot withstand heat?

Gas plasma technology

Which sterilization method requires the dissipation of poisonous gas?

Gas sterilization using Freon and ethylene oxide

What is a microorganism-free area prepared for the use of sterile supplies and equipment called?

Sterile field

When a sterile procedure is delayed, what is NOT an appropriate method of dealing with the sterile tray?

If the tray is open, set it aside and avoid touching it.

What is the ethical awareness that requires you to tell the person in charge when a field is contaminated?

Sterile conscience

What is the surgical hand rub an alternative to?

The surgical hand scrub

What step takes place after the surgical hand scrub when preparing for a surgical procedure that requires complete sterile attire?

Put on surgical gown

What is NOT worn by a radiographer when performing imaging procedures in surgery?

Sterile gown