Infection Control, Safety, and Sanitation
Overview
This domain tests the daily work that stops disease from moving between patients, staff, and clients: hand hygiene, barriers, cleaning versus disinfecting, isolation, and personal safety. The exam rewards the correct sequence - clean first, then disinfect at the labeled dilution for the full contact time.
Core rules
- Hand hygiene between every patient. Gloves do not replace handwashing.
- PPE matched to the task: gloves, gown, mask, eye protection for splashes, dedicated footwear in isolation.
- Cleaning removes organic matter; disinfection kills pathogens on a surface. A soiled surface cannot be disinfected because organic load inactivates the product.
- Disinfectant classes: quaternary ammonium for general surfaces (weak against parvovirus and ringworm), chlorine for parvo at correct dilution but corrosive, accelerated hydrogen peroxide broad-spectrum and less corrosive, glutaraldehyde for instruments with toxic fumes.
- Contact time is on the label and is often 10 minutes for parvovirus. Follow the label dilution - stronger is not better.
- Isolation means a separate room or area, a sign on the door, dedicated supplies, and cleaning from clean to dirty.
Worked example
A puppy with hemorrhagic diarrhea tests positive for parvovirus. Reasoning: gown, gloves, and shoe covers go on before entry; the puppy gets a dedicated cage, thermometer, and bowl. After discharge, all organic material is removed with detergent, then a parvo-effective product is applied and left for the full contact time before drying. Other dogs are walked away from that hallway.
Zoonoses and safety
Classic exam examples are rabies, ringworm, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, scabies, and MRSA. Pregnant staff avoid toxoplasma and radiation. Radiation safety is ALARA: collimate, wear your dosimeter badge, and step behind the barrier.
Traps
Spraying disinfectant onto a soiled cage, guessing the dilution, and skipping the contact time.