NURS 236 Midterm 2 Test With
Complete Solution
Sterilization - ANSWER removing and destroying all MOs (including
endospores)
Example: Cleaning of surgical instruments
Disinfection - ANSWER treatment that kills or inhibits the growth of harmful
MOS
Example: cleaning a hospital room between patients
Sanitization - ANSWER reduction of microbial contamination to levels safe by
public health standards
Example: food preparation areas
Antisepsis - ANSWER disinfection of living sample, such as skin
Example: showering before a surgery
Degerming - ANSWER antisepsis of a limited area
Example: cleaning skin before IV insertion
Asepsis - ANSWER absence of significant contamination
Biocide/germicide - ANSWER treatments that kill living cells
Bacteriostasis - ANSWER treatment that halts or prevents continued growth
of bacteria
,Which form of microbial control is the most powerful? - ANSWER
Sterilization
Which form of microbial control is the least powerful? - ANSWER
Bacteriostasis
opportunistic infection - ANSWER an infection that causes disease when the
immune system is compromised for other reasons
What are the 4 control agent activities? - ANSWER physical/chemical, plasma
membrane, proteins, nucleic acids
Physical Methods - Boiling water - ANSWER Influenced by air pressure
Kills MOs in 10min
Hepatitis in 30min
Endospores up to 2h
Physical Methods - Autoclaving - ANSWER Uses pressurized steam to get
high temps, requires exposure to move steam
Kills endospores in 15min
Cannot kill prion
Physical Methods - Moist Heat - ANSWER pasteurization
Physical Methods - Dry Heat - ANSWER flaming, incineration, hot air
sterilization
Physical Methods - Low Heat - ANSWER depends on what is being sterilized.
4C - -20C
,Physical Methods - Filtration - ANSWER physical separation of of MOs out of
a sample based on size
Only liquids or gases
Health environments use HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) Filters
Membrane sterilization of liquids --> heat sensitive
Physical Methods - Dessication - ANSWER removing water needed for
survival, many go dormant
the state of extreme dryness
Neissaria gonorrhae - 1h
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - months
Endospores - centuries
Physical Methods - Ionizing radiation (X rays and gamma rays) - ANSWER
greater penetrating power
uses for sterilization of food, pharmaceuticals, disposable medical
implements
Physical Methods - Nonionizing radiation (UV) - ANSWER less penetrating
power
room sterilization
, mutation of DNA
Chemical Methods for cleaning - ANSWER Triclosan (bisphenol),
Chlorhexidine, Alcohols, Soaps, Quats, Aldehydes (only chemical agent that
can sterilize)
Nanoparticles - ANSWER 90% of removal potential for heavy metals
Phenol - ANSWER disruption of plasma membrane, denaturation of enzymes
irritation and strong odor
Phenolics - ANSWER disruption of plasma membrane, denaturation of
enzymes. Environmental surfaces, instruments, skin surfaces and mucous
membranes.
derived of phenol
Bisphenols - ANSWER disrupt plasma membranes
lotions, disinfectants
Triclosan is common and effective against gram positives
Antimicrobial drugs - ANSWER chemical substance (synthetic or natural) that
Complete Solution
Sterilization - ANSWER removing and destroying all MOs (including
endospores)
Example: Cleaning of surgical instruments
Disinfection - ANSWER treatment that kills or inhibits the growth of harmful
MOS
Example: cleaning a hospital room between patients
Sanitization - ANSWER reduction of microbial contamination to levels safe by
public health standards
Example: food preparation areas
Antisepsis - ANSWER disinfection of living sample, such as skin
Example: showering before a surgery
Degerming - ANSWER antisepsis of a limited area
Example: cleaning skin before IV insertion
Asepsis - ANSWER absence of significant contamination
Biocide/germicide - ANSWER treatments that kill living cells
Bacteriostasis - ANSWER treatment that halts or prevents continued growth
of bacteria
,Which form of microbial control is the most powerful? - ANSWER
Sterilization
Which form of microbial control is the least powerful? - ANSWER
Bacteriostasis
opportunistic infection - ANSWER an infection that causes disease when the
immune system is compromised for other reasons
What are the 4 control agent activities? - ANSWER physical/chemical, plasma
membrane, proteins, nucleic acids
Physical Methods - Boiling water - ANSWER Influenced by air pressure
Kills MOs in 10min
Hepatitis in 30min
Endospores up to 2h
Physical Methods - Autoclaving - ANSWER Uses pressurized steam to get
high temps, requires exposure to move steam
Kills endospores in 15min
Cannot kill prion
Physical Methods - Moist Heat - ANSWER pasteurization
Physical Methods - Dry Heat - ANSWER flaming, incineration, hot air
sterilization
Physical Methods - Low Heat - ANSWER depends on what is being sterilized.
4C - -20C
,Physical Methods - Filtration - ANSWER physical separation of of MOs out of
a sample based on size
Only liquids or gases
Health environments use HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) Filters
Membrane sterilization of liquids --> heat sensitive
Physical Methods - Dessication - ANSWER removing water needed for
survival, many go dormant
the state of extreme dryness
Neissaria gonorrhae - 1h
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - months
Endospores - centuries
Physical Methods - Ionizing radiation (X rays and gamma rays) - ANSWER
greater penetrating power
uses for sterilization of food, pharmaceuticals, disposable medical
implements
Physical Methods - Nonionizing radiation (UV) - ANSWER less penetrating
power
room sterilization
, mutation of DNA
Chemical Methods for cleaning - ANSWER Triclosan (bisphenol),
Chlorhexidine, Alcohols, Soaps, Quats, Aldehydes (only chemical agent that
can sterilize)
Nanoparticles - ANSWER 90% of removal potential for heavy metals
Phenol - ANSWER disruption of plasma membrane, denaturation of enzymes
irritation and strong odor
Phenolics - ANSWER disruption of plasma membrane, denaturation of
enzymes. Environmental surfaces, instruments, skin surfaces and mucous
membranes.
derived of phenol
Bisphenols - ANSWER disrupt plasma membranes
lotions, disinfectants
Triclosan is common and effective against gram positives
Antimicrobial drugs - ANSWER chemical substance (synthetic or natural) that
