Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Destruction of all microorganisms and viruses on an object

Question 2

A hospital uses an autoclave to sterilize surgical instruments. What are the standard conditions for autoclaving?

Accepted Answer

$$121^\circ\mathrm{C}$$, 15 psi, 15-20 minutes

Question 3

Which of the following is the most resistant to antimicrobial agents?

Accepted Answer

Prions

Question 4

A nurse wipes the skin of a patient with an alcohol swab before an injection. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Degerming

Question 5

Which physical method of microbial control works by denaturing proteins and destroying cell membranes, and is commonly used for sterilization, disinfection, and sanitization?

Accepted Answer

Moist heat

Question 6

Why does dry heat require more time to sterilize materials than moist heat?

Accepted Answer

Dry heat is less effective at denaturing proteins

Question 7

Which of the following is a high-level disinfectant that acts by oxidizing cell structures and enzymes, and is used for sterilizing food processing equipment?

Accepted Answer

Peracetic acid

Question 8

A laboratory technician uses a membrane filter with a pore size of $$0.22\ \mu m. $$Which of the following will be removed from a liquid sample?

Accepted Answer

Most bacteria and largest viruses

Question 9

Which biosafety level (BSL) is required for handling microbes that cause severe or fatal diseases, such as Ebola virus?

Accepted Answer

BSL-4

Question 10

A food company wants to preserve guacamole without altering its color or flavor. Which method should they use?

Accepted Answer

High pressure processing

Question 11

Which chemical agent is commonly used in household disinfectants like Lysol and acts by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

Phenolics

Question 12

Which of the following is the best method for evaluating the efficacy of a disinfectant in a real-world hospital setting?

Accepted Answer

In-use test

Question 13

A solution of $$1\%$$ silver nitrate is used in the eyes of newborns to prevent which type of infection?

Accepted Answer

Ophthalmic gonorrhea

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the decimal reduction time ($$D$$ value) is correct?

Accepted Answer

$$D$$ value is the time required to kill $$90\% of a $$microbial population at a given temperature

Question 15

Which of the following is a limitation of using moist heat for sterilization?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be used on moisture-sensitive materials

Question 16

Which chemical agent is used for degerming before surgery and is an example of an iodophor?

Accepted Answer

Betadine

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct equation for the reaction of chlorine with water to form hypochlorous acid?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{Cl}_2 + \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{HCl} + \mathrm{HClO}$$

Question 18

Which of the following is a factor to consider when selecting an appropriate chemical agent for microbial control?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 19

Which method is most appropriate for sterilizing a heat-sensitive vitamin solution?

Accepted Answer

Membrane filtration

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why refrigeration slows microbial growth?

Accepted Answer

It inhibits metabolism by lowering enzyme activity

Microbial Control: Principles, Methods, and Applications

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