ICE Cross-Contamination Practice Questions
The largest ICE domain, a third of the exam: surfaces, disinfectants, barriers, tray setups, waterlines, evacuation lines, lab items and waste.
Ten ICE questions on prevention of cross-contamination, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 75-question ICE practice exam- 52 original Prevention of Cross-contamination questions, each answer explained
- 34% of the ICE exam, about 26 of 75 questions
- Domain II of DANB’s ICE outline, effective March 12, 2025
In the in-office dental laboratory, which practice prevents cross-contamination?
What the Prevention of Cross-contamination domain covers
- Cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas and laboratories
- Preparing and using chemical disinfectants
- Surface barriers
- Tray setups: single-use devices, single unit dosing and aseptic retrieval
- Maintaining and monitoring dental unit waterlines; cleaning evacuation lines and traps
- Cleaning and disinfecting equipment, including radiography equipment
- Disinfecting impressions and dental appliances
- Disposing of biohazardous and other waste
This list is our own summary. DANB publishes the full outline, references and acronym list in its ICE Exam Outline and References.
Drill prevention of cross-contamination, then sit the full exam
Ten ICE questions on prevention of cross-contamination, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 75-question ICE practice examIdeas the questions test most
- Clean first, then disinfect for the label’s contact time.
- Surfaces visibly contaminated with blood need an intermediate-level (tuberculocidal) hospital disinfectant.
- Water for routine treatment should meet the EPA drinking-water standard of 500 CFU/mL or fewer; surgery uses sterile water.
- Rinse, disinfect and label impressions before they go to the lab; disinfect lab items again before they go in the mouth.
- Sharps go in puncture-resistant containers; gauze that would release blood is regulated waste; amalgam is recycled, never incinerated.
Start the free Prevention of Cross-contamination drill · ICE mixed drill · Full 75-question ICE practice exam
Common questions
What water quality does the CDC recommend for dental units?
Water used for routine dental treatment should meet the EPA’s drinking-water standard: 500 CFU/mL or fewer of heterotrophic bacteria. Surgical procedures use sterile water or saline through a sterile delivery system.
Which disinfectant is used on a blood-contaminated surface?
An EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim (intermediate level), after the surface is cleaned. Low-level disinfectants are acceptable for surfaces without visible blood.
Why is this the biggest ICE domain?
DANB weights Prevention of Cross-contamination at 34% of the ICE exam, more than any other domain, because it covers most of the infection control work done between patients.
Ten ICE questions on prevention of cross-contamination, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 75-question ICE practice examOther ICE domains
Domains, weights and format from DANB, checked November 2026: DANB: Infection Control (ICE) exam · DANB ICE Exam Outline and References (effective 03/12/2025).
Original independent practice, written from DANB’s public exam outlines. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). DANB, RHS, ICE, CDA and Certified Dental Assistant are marks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.