Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

According to universal precautions, which equipment should be sterilized before each patient use?

1. Instruments touching intact skin

2. Respiratory devices

3. Computers in the office

4. Office furniture

The correct answer is: Instruments touching intact skin

According to universal precautions, equipment that touches intact skin, such as instruments used for examination or treatment, should be sterilized before each patient use. This is crucial to prevent the transmission of infections between patients. Sterilization of these instruments helps maintain a safe and hygienic environment in the ophthalmic practice. Options B, C, and D are not required to be sterilized before each patient use according to universal precautions. While respiratory devices should be cleaned and disinfected between patients, computers in the office should be cleaned regularly but not necessarily sterilized before each use. Similarly, office furniture does not need to be sterilized before each patient encounter.