How does an autoclave sterilize implements?
- With steam held under pressure
- With ultraviolet light in a cabinet
- With a strong quat solution
- With dry air blown by a fan
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A. With steam held under pressure
An autoclave uses pressurized steam at high temperature to destroy all microbes, including spores. An ultraviolet cabinet is tempting because it looks like a sterilizer, but it is only suitable for storing items that are already disinfected.
Reference: Infection control: sterilization methods
Why must a new applicator be used every time product is taken from a shared wax pot?
- A used applicator cools the wax so that it will not spread evenly again
- A used applicator makes the wax too thick to remove with a strip
- A used applicator carries skin debris and microbes back into the wax
- A used applicator leaves splinters that scratch the next client
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C. A used applicator carries skin debris and microbes back into the wax
Re-dipping an applicator that touched skin contaminates the whole pot, and wax is not kept hot enough to kill pathogens. The temperature of the wax is the tempting excuse, but working temperature is far below what disinfection or sterilization would need.
Reference: Infection control: no double-dipping in wax
A client who carries a pathogen but shows no signs of illness is described as what?
- Nonpathogenic
- Asymptomatic
- Sterile
- Allergic
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B. Asymptomatic
An asymptomatic person has no symptoms yet can still pass the infection on, which is why the same precautions are used for every client. Nonpathogenic describes harmless organisms, not a person who is silently carrying a harmful one.
Reference: Infection control: asymptomatic carriers and Standard Precautions