Processing Pathway
What is the first step in processing contaminated instruments?
Transport
A blood pressure cuff that contacts intact skin belongs to which classification?
Noncritical
What type of gloves should be worn when cleaning contaminated instruments?
Utility Gloves
Which sterilizer uses saturated steam under pressure?
An autoclave
Which type of monitoring checks the sterilizer’s time, temperature and pressure?
Physical or mechanical monitoring
A package comes out of the sterilizer wet. What should happen to it?
It must not be used. It should be repackaged and reprocessed.
During which step are blood, saliva and other debris removed from instruments?
Cleaning or precleaning
A mouth mirror that contacts oral mucosa but does not penetrate tissue belongs to which classification?
Semicritical
What equipment uses cavitation to remove debris from instruments?
An ultrasonic cleaner
Which sterilization method uses hot air and does not normally rust dry metal instruments?
Dry heat sterilization
A process integrator placed inside a package belongs to which type of monitoring?
Chemical monitoring
What can happen when the sterilizer chamber is overloaded?
The sterilizing agent may not circulate properly, and packages may remain wet or inadequately processed.
During which step are instruments inspected, dried and sealed in approved materials?
Packaging
Surgical forceps that penetrate soft tissue belong to which classification?
Critical
What is the purpose of a holding solution?
It keeps debris moist until instruments can be cleaned.
Which sterilization method requires good ventilation because chemical vapours may be released?
Unsaturated chemical vapour sterilization
What does an external process indicator tell the dental team?
It shows that the package was exposed to the sterilization process, but it does not prove sterility.
A student wipes a handpiece with disinfectant and returns it to the operatory. What step was missed?
Heat sterilization
Which step includes monitoring the sterilizer, maintaining records and responding to failures?
Quality Assurance
How must critical instruments be processed after each use?
They must be cleaned and heat sterilized
Why should hinged instruments be packaged in an open or unlocked position?
So the sterilizing agent can reach the joint and all instrument surfaces.
What is flash or immediate-use sterilization?
A rapid cycle for unwrapped instruments that will be used immediately
What type of monitoring uses highly resistant bacterial spores?
Biologic monitoring or a spore test
An external indicator changed colour, so the student says the instruments are definitely sterile. Why is this incorrect?
A chemical indicator only shows exposure to certain conditions; it does not prove that microorganisms were killed.
List the seven steps of instrument processing in order.
Transport, cleaning/precleaning, packaging, sterilization, storage, delivery and quality assurance
This item is considered semicritical but must be heat sterilized rather than wiped with surface disinfectant.
A dental handpiece
Name three pieces of information that should be placed on a sterilization package or load label.
Sterilizer identification, cycle/load number and sterilization date. An expiration date may also be included when applicable.
Why should one time, temperature and pressure setting not be memorized for every sterilizer?
Requirements depend on the sterilizer, cycle, load and packaging. The manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.
What is the difference between a process integrator and a biologic indicator?
A process integrator is a chemical indicator that reacts to sterilization conditions. A biologic indicator contains bacterial spores and tests the sterilizer’s microbial-killing ability.
A repeat biologic indicator is positive. Name two actions the dental office should take.
Remove the sterilizer from service and follow the office’s recall and reprocessing procedure according to current guidance and manufacturer instructions.