Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Removing and destroying all microbial life

Question 2

A hospital uses an autoclave to sterilize surgical instruments. What is the minimum standard condition for autoclaving to ensure sterilization (excluding prions)?

Accepted Answer

121°C at 15 psi for 15 minutes

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the decimal reduction time ($$D_{10}) is $$correct?

Accepted Answer

$$D_{10} is $$the time (in minutes) required to kill 90\%$ of a specific population of bacteria at a given temperature

Question 4

A laboratory is testing a new disinfectant using the disk-diffusion method. Which result would indicate the disinfectant is effective?

Accepted Answer

A large zone of inhibition around the disk

Question 5

Which physical method is most appropriate for sterilizing heat-sensitive solutions such as certain antibiotics or vaccines?

Accepted Answer

Filtration

Question 6

Which of the following statements about alcohol-based hand sanitizers is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They require water to be effective

Question 7

Which chemical agent is used to sterilize heat-sensitive medical equipment and works by alkylating nucleic acids and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Ethylene oxide

Question 8

Why are Gram-negative bacteria generally more resistant to biocides than Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Their outer membrane contains lipopolysaccharide, which restricts entry of biocides

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct application of the term 'asepsis'?

Accepted Answer

The absence of significant contamination

Question 10

A food processing plant wants to prevent the germination of Clostridium botulinum endospores in canned meats. Which chemical preservative should they use?

Accepted Answer

Nitrites

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why nonionizing radiation (UV light) is only effective for surface sterilization?

Accepted Answer

It damages DNA by creating thymine dimers but does not penetrate surfaces

Question 12

Which of the following is a major advantage of glutaraldehyde over other chemical disinfectants?

Accepted Answer

It is one of the few liquid chemical sterilizing agents (sporicidal in 3–10 hours)

Question 13

Which of the following methods would be most effective for sterilizing a heat-sensitive, tubular surgical instrument?

Accepted Answer

Plasma sterilization

Question 14

A patient is treated with a topical agent containing benzoyl peroxide. What is the primary mechanism of action of this agent?

Accepted Answer

Acts as an oxidizing agent

Question 15

Which of the following statements about pasteurization is correct?

Accepted Answer

It reduces spoilage organisms and pathogens but thermoduric organisms may survive

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the effectiveness of a disinfectant?

Accepted Answer

Color of the disinfectant

Question 17

Which of the following is the best definition of bacteriostasis?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting, not killing, bacteria

Question 18

A hospital is concerned about prion contamination on surgical instruments. Which protocol should they follow?

Accepted Answer

Immerse in NaOH and autoclave at 121°C for 1 hour

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the use of heavy metals as antimicrobial agents is correct?

Accepted Answer

They denature proteins and are effective in very small amounts (oligodynamic action)

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a chemical agent and its primary use?

Accepted Answer

Phenol – control of surgical infections (historically)

Chapter 7: The Control of Microbial Growth – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards