Infection Control · patient case question
All of the following are acceptable statements about biological spore testing EXCEPT:
Patient case: Preparing the practice
demo: New associate dentist
chief: Reviewing the practice infection control and emergency protocols before starting clinical work.
history: The practice is updating its exposure control plan and its written office emergency procedures.
meds: Not applicable.
findings: The office manager asks a series of questions about immunisation, sterilisation monitoring, waste handling and the hierarchy of hazard controls.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Monthly testing is sufficient for a routine sterilizer
- A. This is true. Any repair, relocation, or misuse warrants testing, conventionally three consecutive empty-chamber tests before returning the unit to service.
- B. Correct, and this is the exception. Monthly is not adequate. CDC guidance calls for biological monitoring at least weekly, so that a sterilizer failure is caught within days rather than weeks of instrument use.
- C. This is true. Loads containing implantable devices should carry a biological indicator, and the device should be quarantined until the result is known.
- D. This is true and is the accepted standard: at least weekly biological monitoring with an appropriate spore preparation.
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