ICE: Prevention of Disease Transmission practice questions

Answer: B) Spotting conditions, such as latex allergy, that call for changes to treatment or extra precautions

The medical history identifies conditions, such as allergies, that call for changes to treatment or extra precautions. It cannot reliably identify infectious patients, so standard precautions apply to everyone.

• AIncorrect. Standard precautions, including appropriate PPE, apply to every patient no matter what infection status they report.
• BCorrect. CDC notes that thorough health histories help identify conditions such as latex allergy so that exposure can be avoided. Standard precautions still apply to all patients.
• CIncorrect. Patients with bloodborne infections may be asymptomatic or unaware they are infected, so a medical history cannot reliably identify them. This is why standard precautions are used for everyone.
• DIncorrect. How an instrument is processed depends on how it is used (critical, semicritical, noncritical), not on the patient's medical history. Critical instruments are always sterilized.

Answer: B) Solid side shields on both sides

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and CDC dental guidelines require eye protection with solid side shields (or a chin-length face shield) whenever spatter of blood or other potentially infectious materials is expected.

• AIncorrect. Anti-fog coatings help you see clearly, but OSHA does not require them. The standard is about blocking splashes, and that needs side protection.
• BCorrect. OSHA 1910.1030(d)(3)(x) lists goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields, as acceptable eye protection when spatter is expected. CDC's dental guidelines say the same.
• CIncorrect. Orange filtering lenses protect against curing-light radiation, not spatter. Tint alone does not meet the bloodborne pathogens requirement.
• DIncorrect. Loupes magnify the field. They count as protective eyewear only if they also have side protection, so magnification is not the required feature.

Answer: B) 15 seconds

For a routine handwash with soap and water, CDC tells healthcare personnel to rub their hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces. The longer 2–6 minute scrub is for surgical hand antisepsis.

• AIncorrect. This is too short to cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers. CDC calls for rubbing vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
• BCorrect. CDC's guidance for healthcare personnel says to rub the hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. CDC adds that other organizations recommend at least 20 seconds and that either time is acceptable.
• CIncorrect. Washing longer is fine, but 60 seconds is not CDC's minimum for a routine handwash. The minimum is 15 seconds.
• DIncorrect. This range is the typical scrub time for surgical hand antisepsis, not for a routine handwash.

Answer: A) Hand hygiene is performed before putting on gloves and again immediately after removing them

CDC requires hand hygiene before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them. Use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled; otherwise an alcohol-based hand rub may be used.

• ACorrect. CDC lists 'before putting on gloves and again immediately after removing gloves' as an indication for hand hygiene. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
• BIncorrect. Gloves can have tiny defects, and hands can become contaminated while gloves are being removed. Hand hygiene is needed right after removing gloves every time.
• CIncorrect. CDC says to use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand rub is used when hands are not visibly soiled.
• DIncorrect. CDC calls for hand hygiene before putting on gloves as well as after removing them.

Answer: D) Between patients or if wet

• AIncorrect. Change it between patients or if wet.
• BIncorrect. Change it between patients or if wet.
• CIncorrect. Change it between patients or if wet.
• DCorrect. A wet mask filters poorly.

Answer: A) Portal of entry

• ACorrect. Germs can enter through it.
• BIncorrect. That's where germs live.
• CIncorrect. That's how germs leave.
• DIncorrect. That's how germs travel.

Answer: C) HBV, HCV and HIV

• AIncorrect. Those aren't the main bloodborne concerns.
• BIncorrect. Those spread through the air.
• CCorrect. Standard precautions protect against them.
• DIncorrect. Those aren't bloodborne concerns.

Answer: C) Non-allergic irritation from soaps, gloves or frequent washing

• AIncorrect. It isn't infectious.
• BIncorrect. That's an allergy.
• CCorrect. It isn't an immune reaction.
• DIncorrect. It's a skin condition.

Answer: A) Baseline infection prevention practices are used for every patient, whether or not an infection is suspected or confirmed

Standard Precautions are the minimum practices applied to all patient care. Every patient is treated as potentially infectious, regardless of health history, screening results or known infection status.

• ACorrect. CDC defines Standard Precautions as the minimum infection prevention practices for all patient care, regardless of the patient's suspected or confirmed infection status.
• BIncorrect. Many infected patients don't know they are infected or don't disclose it. Standard Precautions therefore don't depend on the health history; they apply the same baseline to everyone.
• CIncorrect. PPE is chosen based on expected exposure to blood, saliva and other body fluids, mucous membranes or contaminated items, not just visible bleeding. Saliva in dentistry is treated as potentially infectious.
• DIncorrect. Screening for risk groups is not how Standard Precautions work. Every patient receives the same baseline practices, whatever their screening results.

Answer: A) About 1 to 2 months after the final dose

• ACorrect. It confirms immunity.
• BIncorrect. Testing confirms the series worked.
• CIncorrect. It's done soon after.
• DIncorrect. It's recommended for at-risk staff.