NC Infection Control

CDC - AnswerPathogenic microorganisms are transmitted in the dental setting through: - Answer-1) direct contact with blood, oral fluids, or other patient materials; 2) indirect contact with contaminated objects (e.g., instruments, equipment, or environmental surfaces); 3) contact of conjunctival, nasal, or oral mucosa with droplets (e.g., spatter) containing microorganisms generated from an infected person and propelled a short distance (e.g., by coughing, sneezing, or talking); and 4) inhalation of airborne microorganisms that can remain suspended in the air for long periods. Infection through any of these routes requires that all of the following conditions be present: - Answer-1. a pathogenic organism of sufficient virulence and in adequate numbers to cause disease; 2. a reservoir or source that allows the pathogen to survive and multiply (e.g., blood); 3. a mode of transmission from the source to the host; 4. a portal of entry through which the pathogen can enter the host; and 5. a susceptible host (i.e., one who is not immune). Preventive practices used to reduce blood exposures, particularly percutaneous exposures, include: - Answer-1) careful handling of sharp instruments, 2) use of rubber dams to minimize blood spattering; 3) handwashing; and 4) use of protective barriers (e.g., gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and gowns). Standard precautions apply to contact with - Answer-1) blood; 2) all body fluids, secretions, and excretions (except sweat), regardless of whether they contain blood; 3) nonintact skin; and 4) mucous membranes. Saliva has always been considered a potentially infectious material in dental infection control; thus, no operational difference exists in clinical dental practice between universal precautions and standard precautions. to prevent potential spread of certain diseases (e.g., TB, influenza, and varicella) that are transmitted through airborne, droplet, or contact transmission - Answer-precations include: patient placement (e.g., isolation), adequate room ventilation, respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 masks) for DHCP, or postponement of nonemergency dental procedures. primary strategy for protecting against bloodborne pathogens: - Answer-engineering controls that eliminate or isolate the hazard (e.g., puncture-resistant sharps containers or needle-retraction devices)