2026/2027
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ICE EXAM Study Guide Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
For disease transmission to take place, there must be a pathogen
present in sufficient quantity, a reservoir for microorganisms, a mode
of transmission, and:
a) a bloodborne pathogen
b) a susceptible individual
c) a contaminated surface
d) an unsterile instrument Ans: B
The infection that is not spread by airborne transmission is:
a) chickenpox
b) measles
c) tuberculosis
d) hepatitis C Ans: D
Bloodborne transmission of certain viruses, such as human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can occur through cuts, punctures,
and:
a) breathing contaminated aerosol
b) spatter of blood onto mucous membranes
c) wearing contaminated clothing
d) reusing face masks Ans: B
An unvaccinated dental health care worker is at greatest risk of
exposure to which microorganism during dental treatment
procedures?
,a) Hep A
b) Hep B
c) Hep C
d) Hep D Ans: B
Which of the following is not a protocol for standard precautions?
a) wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
b) relying on the patient's health history as an indication of risk
c) using a preprocedural mouth rinse on all patients
d) using dental dam isolation whenever possible Ans: B
Which is a recommended method used to prevent surface
contamination?
a) use a surface barrier
b) wipe the surface with alcohol
c) use an intermediate-level disinfectant
d) use a high-level disinfectant Ans: A
Which is an unsafe practice in recapping of a needle?
a) one-handed scooping method
b) a mechanical device specifically designed to hold the needle for
recapping
c) any safety feature that is fixed, provides a barrier between the
assistant's hands and the needle after use, and allows the assistant's
hands to remain behind the needle
d) two-handed scoop method for maximal control Ans: D
Patients who are infected with HIV or AIDS are:
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a) a high risk to dental health care workers during treatment
b) best referred to a specialist for treatment in a hospital setting
c) protected from discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities
Act
d) taking medications that may contraindicate dental treatment Ans:
C
A dental assistant has completed the series of injections for hep B
vaccination. The next step is to:
a) provide a copy of the vaccine record for his or her employer
b) get a blood test for HBV antibodies
c) follow up in 5 years with a booster injection
d) get reimbursed by his or her employer for the cost of the injections
Ans: B
If patients indicate on their health history that they have active
tuberculosis, this means that:
a) they are taking antibiotics and it is safe to treat them in the dental
office
b) they should not have elective treatment performed in the dental
office
c) it is safe to treat them if they have been on antibiotics for 6 months
d) it is safe to treat them if the dental team wears N95 respirators
Ans: B
Which type of gloves does the CDC recommend for surgical
procedures?
a) latex
b) nonlatex
, c) sterile
d) nitrile Ans: C
How much time should a surgical hand scrub take the dental assistant
to perform?
a) 15-20 seconds
b) 30-60 seconds
c) 1-2 minutes
d) 2-6 minutes Ans: D
When a dental assistant is cleaning instruments, what type(s) of
personal protective equipment should be worn?
a) safety glasses, examination gloves, and protective gown
b) safety glasses, utility gloves, and protective gown
c) safety glasses, examination gloves, face mask, and protective gown
d) safety glasses, utility gloves, face mask, and protective gown Ans:
D
Disposable devices, such as saliva ejector tips, can be reused if they
are:
a) cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner and heat sterilized
b) cleaned and placed in a liquid chemical sterilant
c) not exposed to blood during treatment
d) They are not to be reused, as they are single-use devices. Ans: D
The following are all true of disposable devices except that they:
a) reduce the amount of waste produced by a dental practice
b) can be disposed of in the regular office trash
Gmail:
27
ICE EXAM Study Guide Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
For disease transmission to take place, there must be a pathogen
present in sufficient quantity, a reservoir for microorganisms, a mode
of transmission, and:
a) a bloodborne pathogen
b) a susceptible individual
c) a contaminated surface
d) an unsterile instrument Ans: B
The infection that is not spread by airborne transmission is:
a) chickenpox
b) measles
c) tuberculosis
d) hepatitis C Ans: D
Bloodborne transmission of certain viruses, such as human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can occur through cuts, punctures,
and:
a) breathing contaminated aerosol
b) spatter of blood onto mucous membranes
c) wearing contaminated clothing
d) reusing face masks Ans: B
An unvaccinated dental health care worker is at greatest risk of
exposure to which microorganism during dental treatment
procedures?
,a) Hep A
b) Hep B
c) Hep C
d) Hep D Ans: B
Which of the following is not a protocol for standard precautions?
a) wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
b) relying on the patient's health history as an indication of risk
c) using a preprocedural mouth rinse on all patients
d) using dental dam isolation whenever possible Ans: B
Which is a recommended method used to prevent surface
contamination?
a) use a surface barrier
b) wipe the surface with alcohol
c) use an intermediate-level disinfectant
d) use a high-level disinfectant Ans: A
Which is an unsafe practice in recapping of a needle?
a) one-handed scooping method
b) a mechanical device specifically designed to hold the needle for
recapping
c) any safety feature that is fixed, provides a barrier between the
assistant's hands and the needle after use, and allows the assistant's
hands to remain behind the needle
d) two-handed scoop method for maximal control Ans: D
Patients who are infected with HIV or AIDS are:
, 2026/2027
Gmail:
27
a) a high risk to dental health care workers during treatment
b) best referred to a specialist for treatment in a hospital setting
c) protected from discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities
Act
d) taking medications that may contraindicate dental treatment Ans:
C
A dental assistant has completed the series of injections for hep B
vaccination. The next step is to:
a) provide a copy of the vaccine record for his or her employer
b) get a blood test for HBV antibodies
c) follow up in 5 years with a booster injection
d) get reimbursed by his or her employer for the cost of the injections
Ans: B
If patients indicate on their health history that they have active
tuberculosis, this means that:
a) they are taking antibiotics and it is safe to treat them in the dental
office
b) they should not have elective treatment performed in the dental
office
c) it is safe to treat them if they have been on antibiotics for 6 months
d) it is safe to treat them if the dental team wears N95 respirators
Ans: B
Which type of gloves does the CDC recommend for surgical
procedures?
a) latex
b) nonlatex
, c) sterile
d) nitrile Ans: C
How much time should a surgical hand scrub take the dental assistant
to perform?
a) 15-20 seconds
b) 30-60 seconds
c) 1-2 minutes
d) 2-6 minutes Ans: D
When a dental assistant is cleaning instruments, what type(s) of
personal protective equipment should be worn?
a) safety glasses, examination gloves, and protective gown
b) safety glasses, utility gloves, and protective gown
c) safety glasses, examination gloves, face mask, and protective gown
d) safety glasses, utility gloves, face mask, and protective gown Ans:
D
Disposable devices, such as saliva ejector tips, can be reused if they
are:
a) cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner and heat sterilized
b) cleaned and placed in a liquid chemical sterilant
c) not exposed to blood during treatment
d) They are not to be reused, as they are single-use devices. Ans: D
The following are all true of disposable devices except that they:
a) reduce the amount of waste produced by a dental practice
b) can be disposed of in the regular office trash
