DANB CDA – ICE: Prevention of Cross-Contamination — All Questions

What is the two-step process for disinfecting clinical contact surfaces in the dental operatory?

A dental assistant wipes the bracket table with a disinfectant wipe and immediately dries it with a paper towel. Is this technique correct?

Which type of surface in the dental operatory is classified as a clinical contact surface?

What is the purpose of placing plastic barriers on clinical contact surfaces?

Between patients, the dental assistant removes the plastic barrier from the light handle and notices the surface underneath is visibly contaminated. What should the dental assistant do?

Which of the following items commonly receives a protective barrier in the dental operatory?

What is the chain of asepsis in dentistry?

During a procedure, the dental assistant needs to open a cabinet to retrieve additional supplies. The assistant is wearing contaminated gloves. What is the correct approach?

What is the correct sequence for preparing a dental operatory between patients?

A dental assistant is setting up an operatory and realizes the sterilization pouches for the instrument cassette have a broken seal. What should the dental assistant do?

What infection control measure should be taken with the x-ray tube head and position-indicating device (PID) between patients?

A dental assistant takes multiple periapical radiographs using a digital sensor. Between each exposure, the assistant handles the sensor with contaminated gloves and touches the computer keyboard to save images. What infection control error has occurred?

What must be done to dental impressions before sending them to a dental laboratory?

A dental laboratory returns a partial denture for try-in. What should the dental assistant do before placing it in the patient’s mouth?

What is the CDC-recommended standard for dental unit waterline (DUWL) quality?

What maintenance practice helps reduce bacterial biofilm in dental unit waterlines?

Why are dental unit waterlines particularly susceptible to biofilm formation?

Before sending a dental laboratory case (such as a crown or denture) to an outside laboratory, what infection control step must the dental assistant perform?

A dental assistant has just removed an alginate impression from a patient’s mouth. Before pouring the impression with gypsum, what disinfection protocol should be followed?

A dental assistant receives a repaired denture from the outside laboratory. The laboratory packaging does not indicate whether the prosthesis was disinfected before return shipment. What should the dental assistant do before delivering the denture to the patient?

What is the primary method for preventing contamination of a digital radiographic sensor during intraoral exposure?

A dental assistant removes a barrier-covered PSP (photostimulable phosphor) plate from a patient’s mouth. What should the assistant do before scanning the plate in the reader?

How should conventional (D-speed or F-speed) film packets be protected during intraoral radiography?

After taking radiographs, a dental assistant needs to disinfect the lead apron. Which method is appropriate?

Which infection control measure should be applied to the position indicating device (PID) of the x-ray tubehead between patients?

A dental assistant has finished taking a full-mouth series using a digital sensor. After removing gloves, the assistant notices saliva on the sensor cable. What should the assistant do?

Which part of a panoramic radiography unit requires disinfection between patients?

A dental assistant is preparing a cephalometric radiograph. Which infection control step is specific to this type of exposure?

A dental assistant is using a beam alignment device (film holder/sensor holder) that contacted the patient’s saliva during intraoral radiography. Which reprocessing method is correct for this device?

Where should the dental assistant press the exposure button during intraoral radiography?

A dental office recently transitioned from conventional film to digital sensors. The dental assistant notices that the infection control protocol for radiography has not been updated. Which infection control risk is unique to digital sensors compared to conventional film?

A dental assistant is processing conventional film in a darkroom. After removing exposed film packets from barrier envelopes with contaminated gloves, what must the assistant do before handling the films for processing?

What is the primary infection control concern when using a daylight loader for automatic film processing?

During a busy morning, a dental assistant realizes that a digital sensor barrier was torn when retrieved from the patient’s mouth, and saliva is visible on the sensor surface. What is the correct next step?

A dental assistant is evaluating the radiography infection control protocol for a new practice. The protocol states that barriers are placed on sensors but does not address disinfection of sensors after barrier removal. Is this protocol adequate?

When taking intraoral radiographs, what type of gloves should the dental assistant wear?

After dismissing a patient, what is the first step in the treatment room turnover process?

A dental assistant is turning over an operatory after a restorative procedure. Which item should be disposed of in the biohazard waste bag rather than the regular trash?

What is the recommended minimum contact time when using an EPA-registered intermediate-level disinfectant on clinical contact surfaces during operatory turnover?

A dental assistant notices the sharps container in the operatory is three-quarters full. What should the assistant do?

Which surfaces in the dental operatory are classified as clinical contact surfaces that require barrier protection or disinfection between patients?

During operatory setup for the next patient, the dental assistant places plastic barriers on the light handles, headrest, and air/water syringe. Which additional item should also receive a barrier?

What is the purpose of flushing dental unit waterlines at the beginning of each workday before treating patients?

A dental assistant is preparing the operatory for a new patient and discovers that a tray of sterilized instruments was left uncovered on the counter during the previous patient’s treatment. What should the assistant do?

How long should dental unit waterlines be flushed between patients to reduce microbial contamination?

A dental assistant completes the cleanup protocol after a surgical extraction. The assistant removed all barriers, disinfected surfaces, and flushed the waterlines. Before seating the next patient, the assistant realizes the suction trap was not cleaned. Which concern does this present?

What is the primary purpose of placing surface barriers on clinical contact surfaces in the operatory?

While setting up the operatory for the next patient, a dental assistant checks the supply inventory. Which action best supports efficient room turnover and patient care?

A dental office is evaluating whether to use surface barriers or the clean/disinfect method for the dental chair headrest control buttons. The buttons have small crevices and textured surfaces. Which approach is more appropriate and why?

During operatory cleanup, where should a used disposable suction tip be discarded?

A dental assistant finishes cleaning an operatory and removes contaminated gloves. Before placing new barriers and setting up instruments for the next patient, what must the assistant do?

A dental assistant is preparing a treatment room for a patient scheduled for a crown preparation. The assistant must select instruments, materials, and supplies. Which approach to tray setup best minimizes the risk of cross-contamination during the procedure?

Which solution is most commonly recommended for disinfecting a removable prosthesis before sending it to the dental laboratory?

A dental assistant is preparing a lab case containing a fixed bridge try-in to send to an outside laboratory. What information regarding infection control should be communicated to the lab?

A contaminated item arrives at the dental laboratory from the operatory without being disinfected first. What should the laboratory technician do?

Why is a disinfectant spray preferred over immersion for disinfecting certain prosthetic appliances before sending them to the laboratory?

Why should individual portions of pumice be used for each patient when polishing a prosthesis in the dental laboratory?

A dental assistant needs to polish a patient’s denture on the laboratory lathe. Which infection control measure should be followed when using the rag wheel?

What is the recommended infection control protocol for the dental laboratory handpiece after use on a patient case?

A dental assistant is trimming a stone model on the model trimmer. Which infection control practice should be followed?

What type of polishing compound should be dispensed for laboratory polishing procedures to maintain infection control?

A dental office receives lab cases from an outside laboratory. Some cases arrive sealed in bags while others arrive in open boxes. Which protocol best protects against introducing contaminants into the operatory?

Which surface in the dental laboratory should be disinfected between patient cases?

A dental assistant notices that the in-office laboratory does not have a separate area for receiving contaminated items and a clean area for outgoing lab work. What is the primary risk of this arrangement?

What personal protective equipment should a dental assistant wear when handling contaminated lab cases in the dental laboratory?

The dental assistant is preparing to send a custom tray and bite registration to an outside dental laboratory. How should the lab case be packaged for transport?

Which material is most commonly used as a surface barrier on dental unit light handles between patients?

A dental assistant notices a tear in the plastic barrier covering the air/water syringe handle during a procedure. What should the assistant do after the procedure is completed?

Which of the following surfaces is most appropriate for covering with aluminum foil as a barrier in the dental operatory?

What is the primary purpose of placing a barrier over the dental chair headrest between patients?

A dental assistant is preparing the operatory for the next patient. Which sequence correctly describes barrier management between patients?

When should surface barriers in the dental operatory be changed?

A dental office is evaluating whether to use surface barriers or surface disinfection for the dental unit control panel. The panel has multiple textured buttons and crevices. Which approach is most appropriate and why?

Which of the following best describes a single-use barrier in infection control?

A dental assistant is setting up for a restorative procedure. Which of the following items requires a barrier cover to prevent cross-contamination during the procedure?

Why are plastic bags commonly used as barriers on the x-ray tubehead?

A dental office uses a shared computer workstation in the operatory to access patient records during treatment. The keyboard and mouse are frequently touched with contaminated gloves. Which barrier strategy would be most effective for this workstation?

During operatory setup, the dental assistant realizes the office has run out of plastic barriers for the bracket tray handle. What is the most appropriate alternative action?

Which characteristic is essential for a material to function effectively as a surface barrier in the dental operatory?

A dental assistant needs to open a supply drawer during a procedure while wearing contaminated gloves. What is the best way to prevent contaminating the drawer handle?

Barrier tape used in the dental operatory serves which purpose?

What is the primary goal of aseptic technique in dental practice?

A dental assistant is retrieving a sterile instrument pack from the storage area. The assistant notices the packaging is intact but the chemical indicator strip has not changed color. What should the assistant do?

During a surgical extraction, the dental assistant accidentally touches the sterile suture package against the bracket tray edge before handing it to the dentist. The bracket tray was covered with a disposable barrier but has been in the contamination zone during the procedure. What is the correct course of action?

What does the term ‘non-touch technique’ refer to in dental infection control?

What is the purpose of unit dosing in dental practice?

A dental assistant dispenses composite material from a bulk syringe for a restorative procedure. After the procedure, unused composite remains on the dispensing pad. What should the assistant do with the leftover material?

Which of the following is an example of a single-use disposable item in dental practice?

What is the primary purpose of having patients use a pre-procedural antimicrobial mouth rinse before dental treatment?

Before a dental prophylaxis, the dental assistant offers the patient a cup of chlorhexidine gluconate rinse. The patient asks why the rinse is needed. Which response is most accurate?

Which antimicrobial agent is an alternative to chlorhexidine for pre-procedural mouth rinsing in dental offices?

During a dental procedure, the dentist requests irrigation of the surgical site. The dental assistant fills the irrigation syringe from a sterile saline bottle. Which technique maintains asepsis while dispensing the saline?

A dental office is choosing between reusable high-volume evacuation (HVE) tips and disposable HVE tips. Which factor is most relevant to the decision from an infection control perspective?

What type of water should be used for irrigation during oral surgical procedures?

A dental assistant is preparing a tray for a surgical procedure. After placing sterilized instruments on the tray, the assistant sneezes and the sneeze is directed toward the instrument tray despite wearing a mask. What should the assistant do?

Which of the following suction tips is designed for single-patient use and should be discarded after each procedure?

What is the primary concern regarding biofilm in dental unit waterlines?

According to CDC guidelines, what is the maximum acceptable level of bacteria in dental unit waterline output used during patient care?

A dental office performs periodic shock treatment of its dental unit waterlines. What is the purpose of this procedure?

A dental office uses a continuous waterline treatment system that introduces a low concentration of antimicrobial solution into the dental unit water supply. What advantage does this approach have over periodic shock treatment alone?

Some dental units are equipped with inline water filters on the waterline output. What is the primary function of these filters?

How long should dental unit waterlines be flushed at the beginning of each workday before treating patients?

Which classification of surface disinfectant is appropriate for cleaning clinical contact surfaces in the dental operatory?

What is the recommended concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution for decontaminating surfaces with visible blood or body fluid spills in a dental setting?

Which type of surface in a dental operatory is defined as one that is directly touched by the dental team during patient care?

A dental assistant is preparing to disinfect the operatory between patients. The bracket tray has visible blood and saliva residue. What is the correct first step?

A dental assistant uses the spray-wipe-spray technique on the countertop after treating a patient. What is the purpose of the second spray application?

Which chemical category of surface disinfectant works by disrupting microbial cell membranes and is commonly used in dental operatory wipes?

Which government agency is responsible for registering and regulating surface disinfectants used in healthcare facilities?

A dental office is selecting a new surface disinfectant for the operatories. The infection control coordinator wants a product that is effective against tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, and HIV. Which level of disinfectant meets these requirements for surface use?

During operatory cleanup, the dental assistant notices that the disinfectant wipe dried on the countertop after only 2 minutes, but the product label states a 10-minute contact time. What should the assistant do?

Which class of chemical disinfectant contains iodine combined with a surfactant and is used for surface disinfection in dental offices?

The dental assistant needs to disinfect the waiting room floor after a patient spill. Which approach is most appropriate for this housekeeping surface?

A dental office is comparing phenol-based and quaternary ammonium compound disinfectants. Which factor most accurately distinguishes these two products for dental surface disinfection?

What is a transfer surface in the context of dental infection control?

After a restorative procedure, the dental assistant observes blood splatter on the side panel of the dental unit. This is classified as which type of surface?

A dental practice is evaluating whether to use surface barriers or the spray-wipe-spray disinfection technique for the dental light handle. Which consideration is most relevant to this decision?

What is dental unit waterline biofilm?

A dental office discovers that its waterline testing results show bacterial counts above the acceptable level. Which procedure should be performed to address the biofilm contamination?

What is one method used to reduce bacterial contamination in dental unit waterlines?

During an oral surgery procedure that involves bone exposure, which type of water should be used for irrigation?

What is an independent water reservoir system on a dental unit?

A dental office uses a self-contained bottle system for its dental unit water supply. The dental assistant is preparing the unit at the beginning of the day. What should the assistant do with the waterline before attaching a fresh bottle of treated water?

What does the abbreviation CFU stand for in the context of dental waterline testing?

A dental office wants to verify that its waterline management protocol is effective. Which method should be used to monitor the bacterial count in dental unit water?

According to CDC guidelines, what is the maximum acceptable level of bacteria in dental unit waterline output water?

A dental office receives waterline test results showing 750 CFU/mL from one operatory. The other three operatories all tested below 200 CFU/mL. What should the office do regarding the operatory with elevated results?