Sterilization Process

Inspection and testing evaluates an individual instrument for ___. 1) cleanliness 2) sharpness 3) alignment 4) insulation integrity a. 1-4 b. 1-3 c. 1 and 2 d. 1, 2, and 4

a. 1-4

Examples of this kind of external indicator are tape and labels. a. A chemical indicator b. A physical indicator c. An ultrasonic indicator d. A biological indicator

a. A chemical indicator

What cleaning term focuses on sound waves that create vacuums that remove debris from crevices? a. Cavitation b. Chemical Action c. Thermal Action d. Washer-Disinfector/Decontaminator

a. Cavitation

True or False: a. If one wet pack is found on a sterilization load, all packages are considered to be wet packs. b. All sterilized items should be cooled for 30 minutes before being handled. c. Documentation is necessary for each sterilization cycle. d. An item's sterility is based on how long it is on the shelf. e. The person who loaded the cart into the sterilizer is a part of each load's documentation.

a. False b. False c. True d. False e. True

Which statement related to cleaning and decontaminating surgical instruments is true? a. Instruments should be fully immersed in the cleaning solution to avoid aerosolization. b. Blood removal on instruments is more difficult with cool water. c. The washer-disinfector/decontaminator uses cavitation to remove soil from hard-to-access areas of an instrument. d. Instruments are kept assembled during the cleaning and decontamination process.

a. Instruments should be fully immersed in the cleaning solution to avoid aerosolization.

What is the most common method of sterilization? a. Steam b. H2O2 Vapor c. Ethylene Oxide d. Dry Heat

a. Steam

Which of the following should be used for instrument cleaning at the point of use? a. Sterile water b. Sterile sporicidal solution c. Sterile saline d. Sterile enzymatic solution

a. Sterile water

True or False: a. Instruments must be completely dry before instrument tray assembly and sterilization. b. Instruments are to be closed when placing them on a stringer. c. Cupped isntruments are placed with the cup portion up. d. The weight of the tray is evenly distributed. e. A chemical indicator is placed on the inside of the container. f. Sharp and delicate instruments are placed inside a peel pouch to protect the tips.

a. True b. False c. False d. True e. True f. False

Which of the following CIs are placed on the outside of a package or container? a. Type 1: Process Indicator b. Type 2: Specialty Indicator c. Type 3: Single-parameter Indicator d. Type 4: Multi-parameter Indicator

a. Type 1: Process Indicator

What practice involves maintaining cleanliness and eliminating infectious pathogens from the environment? a. Sterile technique b. Aseptic technique c. Clean technique d. Sanitary technique

b. Aseptic technique

What cleaning term focuses on cleaning solutions? a. Cavitation b. Chemical Action c. Thermal Action d. Washer-Disinfector/Decontaminator

b. Chemical Action

What sterilizes through oxidation of key cellular components and is safer than ethylene oxide? a. Steam b. H2O2 Vapor c. Ethylene Oxide d. Dry Heat

b. H2O2 Vapor

What is Aseptic Technique? a. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented c. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms d. Complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life

b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented

What process requires an item to be fully immersible? a. Steam b. Peracetic Acid c. Ethylene Oxide d. Dry Heat

b. Peracetic Acid

Which step precedes the others? a. Disinfection b. Point-of-use treatment c. Transport d. Packaging

b. Point-of-use treatment

Which of the following describes bioburden? a. A physical barrier created by cleaning agents on an instrument surface b. The amount of microbial contamination on an instrument surface c. Biological material that adheres to the surface of instruments and inhibits effective cleaning d. A chemical interaction between blood and cleaning agents

b. The amount of microbial contamination on an instrument surface

Geobacillus stearothermophilus is a biological indicator used for ___. a. ethylene oxide sterilizers b. liquid peracetic acid sterilizers c. dry heat sterilizers d. All of the above

b. liquid peracetic acid sterilizers

What is Asepsis? a. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented c. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms d. Complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life

c. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms

What requires aeration as a critical step? a. Steam b. H2O2 Vapor c. Ethylene Oxide d. Dry Heat

c. Ethylene Oxide

Which chemical sterilization method uses a toxic substance that requires aeration? a. Dry heat b. Peracetic acid c. Ethylene oxide d. Hydrogen peroxide

c. Ethylene oxide

What is NOT included in the record of each sterilization cycle? a. Physical, chemical, and biological indicator results b. Exposure parameters for the sterilization method c. General description of the sterilization load d. Operator's identification

c. General description of the sterilization load

Which statement about biological indicators is TRUE? a. A BI is only run with the first load of the day. b. The implant package or tray is released for use immediately; the BI results can be read later. c. In the event of a positive BI result, the sterilizer will not be used until the cause has been determined, and the items in that load need to be reprocessed. d. The BI used must be specific to the brand of sterilizer.

c. In the event of a positive BI result, the sterilizer will not be used until the cause has been determined, and the items in that load need to be reprocessed.

What is Bioburden? a. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented c. The amount of microbial contamination on an instrument d. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument

c. The amount of microbial contamination on an instrument

What cleaning term focuses on water temperature? a. Cavitation b. Chemical Action c. Thermal Action d. Washer-Disinfector/Decontaminator

c. Thermal Action

Instrument assembly stipulates that ___. a. instruments are closed when placed on the stringer b. sharp and delicate instruments are inserted into a peel pack c. instruments need to be dry when assembled d. cupped instruments are placed up in the instrument set

c. instruments need to be dry when assembled

Which of the following PPE is necessary for SPD team members working in the decontamination area? 1) Fluid-resistant gown 2) Shoe covers or boots designed for use as PPE 3) Mask 4) Eye protection or a full-face shield 5) Utility gloves 6) N95 respirator a. 1, 2, 3, and 5 b. 1, 2, 4, and 5 c. 1, 2, 5, and 6 d. 1-5

d. 1-5

What is Biofilm? a. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented c. The amount of microbial contamination on an instrument d. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument

d. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument

What is the first step of instrument processing? a. Decontaminator cycle on washer-sterilizer b. Soaking c. Chemical disinfection d. Cleaning

d. Cleaning

What is Sterilization? a. A coating of biological organisms and material tightly adhered to the surface of an instrument b. Methods by which microbial contamination is prevented c. Absence of pathogenic microorganisms d. Complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life

d. Complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life

What is an appropriate action before transporting contaminated instruments from the point of use to the decontamination area? a. Place sharp instruments with delicate instruments. b. Place a dry towel over instruments. c. Keep instruments that can be disassembled in one piece. d. Discard sharps into a sharps container.

d. Discard sharps into a sharps container.

What is used on items resistant to moist heat sterilization? a. Steam b. H2O2 Vapor c. Ethylene Oxide d. Dry Heat

d. Dry Heat

Which of the following is true when assembling an instrument tray? a. Cupped instruments are placed with cup portion up. b. Heavy instruments are placed on top of lighter instruments. c. Instruments may be slightly wet. d. Instruments are counted as they are placed in a tray.

d. Instruments are counted as they are placed in a tray.

Which statement about completely submerging an instrument into the cleaning solution is TRUE? a. It increases the potential of contamination to the worker. b. It increases the risk of splashes and sprays to the worker. c. It reduces the need for instrument disassembly. d. It reduces the risk of chemical and contaminant aerosolization.

d. It reduces the risk of chemical and contaminant aerosolization.

Which of the following streatments about sterilization packages is TRUE? a. A large item can be peel packed as long as it fits into the pouch. b. Information should be written on the porous side of the peel pack. c. It is important to allow for billowing or gaping of the sterilization wrap. d. Sterilization wraps can be reusable, woven materials or single-use, nonwoven materials.

d. Sterilization wraps can be reusable, woven materials or single-use, nonwoven materials.

What uses a combination of thermal and chemical actions for instrument cleaning? a. Cavitation b. Chemical Action c. Thermal Action d. Washer-Disinfector/Decontaminator

d. Washer-Disinfector/Decontaminator

Point-of-use treatment occurs before instruments arrive in the SPD. Benefits to performing point-of-use treatment include: a. allowing soil and debris to harden, making removal much easier. b. prolonging instrument turnover time. c. biofilm formation. d. prolonging instrument life.

d. prolonging instrument life.