CBSPD 2026 Exam Review - CSPDT
Certification Mock Practice Written Test
(50 Most Common Questions, Answers,
and Detailed Explanations)
Question one,
What is the primary function of a biological indicator for sterilizer efficacy testing?
A to monitor the temperature and time cycle of the sterilizer.
B to determine the presence of microbial contamination on a device.
C to confirm that a lethal process occurred by killing a known population of resistant
microorganisms.
D to measure the humidity within the sterilization chamber.
Answer C. To confirm that a lethal process occurred by killing a known population of
resistant microorganisms.
The concept here is biological indicators B ice which are the most reliable way to confirm
sterilization. The keywords primary function and sterilizer efficacy point to ensuring the process
actually killed all living organisms. A BI contains hardy spores like geobbacillus
sterothermophilus which are very difficult to kill. If the BI shows no growth after incubation, it
means the sterilizer successfully eliminated these tough spores, confirming the entire load was
sterilized. Think of it as the ultimate quality check for your sterilization process to ensure patient
safety.
Question two.
Which piece of personal protective equipment PPE is essential when handling used surgical
instruments with potential bio burden?
A. Surgical cap.
B. Sterile gloves.
C. Isolation gown.
D. Safety glasses.
Answer. C. Isolation gown.
This question tests knowledge of appropriate personal protective equipment PPE for handling
contaminated items. The keywords handling used surgical instruments and potential bio burden
indicate a need for protection against splashes and contact with biological material. An isolation
gown provides a barrier for the body and clothing preventing contamination from spreading.
While gloves and eye protection are also important, the gown is crucial for comprehensive
protection during the initial handling of soiled instruments. It's essential to wear a gown to
prevent your scrubs from becoming contaminated.
,Question three,
how should lumens on surgical instruments be cleaned to ensure thoroughess?
A. By rinsing them under cold running water only.
B. By using a high pressure water jet to flush them.
C. By using a long-handled brush specifically designed for lumens.
D. By soaking them in a disinfectant solution for an extended period.
Answer. C. By using a long-handled brush specifically designed for lumens.
The question focuses on the proper cleaning of lumens which are the hollow channels in
surgical instruments. The keyword lumens and the need for thoroughess are key clues. Lumens
require mechanical cleaning with a brush of the appropriate size to physically remove soil and
debris. Simply rinsing or soaking is often insufficient to dislodge dried-on biological matter within
these narrow channels. Using the correct brush ensures you reach all internal surfaces, which is
critical for preventing infection. Always remember that brushes are your best friend for cleaning
inside lumens.
Question four.
What is the primary purpose of a chemical indicator CI on a sterile package?
A to confirm the sterility of the contents within the package.
B to indicate that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process.
C to measure the level of humidity within the sterilizer chamber.
D to determine the penetration of the sterilent into all areas of the load.
Answer B to indicate that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process.
This question tests understanding of chemical indicators, sea ice, and their role in the
sterilization process. The phrase exposed to the sterilization process is the most crucial clue.
Sea ice change color when exposed to specific sterilization parameters like heat or steam,
showing that the package has gone through the cycle. However, they do not guarantee sterility
as they don't confirm the killing of microorganisms. Think of a CI as a yes, it went in the sterilizer
sign.
Question five.
Which of the following describes a highle disinfectant HLD?
A kills all microorganisms except a small number of bacterial spores.
B kill kills viruses, fungi, and all vegetative bacteria, but not necessarily all bacterial spores.
C. Kills vegetative bacteria and some viruses, but not fungi or spores.
D. Kills all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
Answer: B. kills viruses, fungi and all vegetative bacteria but not necessarily all bacterial
spores.
The question is about the definition of highle disinfection HLD. The key here is understanding
the spectrum of microbial kill for different disinfection levels. HLDs are designed to kill most
microorganisms, including viruses, fungi, and all types of bacteria, vegetative bacteria, but they
might not always kill all bacterial spores, which require sterilization. This level of disinfection is
, used for semi-critical items that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
Remember, highle disinfection is close to sterilization, but doesn't guarantee spore death.
Question six.
What is the ideal temperature range for storing sterile packages?
A. 40 to 50° F, 4 to 10° C.
B 50 to 60° F, 10 to 15° C.
C 60 to 70° F, 15 to 21° C.
D 70 to 80° F, 21 to 27°.
Answer C. 60 to 70° F, 15 to 21° C.
This question probes knowledge of optimal storage conditions for sterile items. The keywords
ideal temperature range and storing sterile packages are important. Maintaining a consistent
moderate temperature helps prevent condensation, which can compromise the integrity of
sterile packaging. Extremes in temperature can lead to moisture formation or material
degradation. A controlled room temperature within this range is generally recommended to
maintain sterility. Keeping sterile items in a stable, moderate environment is key to preserving
their sterility.
Question seven,
what is the term for the process of rendering a medical device safe to handle by reducing or
eliminating pathogenic microorganisms?
A. Sterilization,
B. Disinfection,
C. Decontamination,
D. Sanitization.
Answer: C. Decontamination.
This question asks for the overarching term for making a device safe to handle. The keywords
safe to handle and reducing or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms define the initial crucial
step in processing used instruments. Decontamination encompasses all the initial steps taken to
remove gross soil and reduce the bio burden making the items safe for further handling and
processing. Sterilization and disinfection are more specific processes that occur after
decontamination. Think of decontamination as the first step in cleaning up any potentially
harmful items.
Question eight.
Which type of sterilization uses low temperature gas plasma and is suitable for heat and
moisture sensitive medical devices?
A. Ethylene oxide eo sterilization.
B. Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization.
C. Steam sterilization.
D. Dry heat sterilization.
Certification Mock Practice Written Test
(50 Most Common Questions, Answers,
and Detailed Explanations)
Question one,
What is the primary function of a biological indicator for sterilizer efficacy testing?
A to monitor the temperature and time cycle of the sterilizer.
B to determine the presence of microbial contamination on a device.
C to confirm that a lethal process occurred by killing a known population of resistant
microorganisms.
D to measure the humidity within the sterilization chamber.
Answer C. To confirm that a lethal process occurred by killing a known population of
resistant microorganisms.
The concept here is biological indicators B ice which are the most reliable way to confirm
sterilization. The keywords primary function and sterilizer efficacy point to ensuring the process
actually killed all living organisms. A BI contains hardy spores like geobbacillus
sterothermophilus which are very difficult to kill. If the BI shows no growth after incubation, it
means the sterilizer successfully eliminated these tough spores, confirming the entire load was
sterilized. Think of it as the ultimate quality check for your sterilization process to ensure patient
safety.
Question two.
Which piece of personal protective equipment PPE is essential when handling used surgical
instruments with potential bio burden?
A. Surgical cap.
B. Sterile gloves.
C. Isolation gown.
D. Safety glasses.
Answer. C. Isolation gown.
This question tests knowledge of appropriate personal protective equipment PPE for handling
contaminated items. The keywords handling used surgical instruments and potential bio burden
indicate a need for protection against splashes and contact with biological material. An isolation
gown provides a barrier for the body and clothing preventing contamination from spreading.
While gloves and eye protection are also important, the gown is crucial for comprehensive
protection during the initial handling of soiled instruments. It's essential to wear a gown to
prevent your scrubs from becoming contaminated.
,Question three,
how should lumens on surgical instruments be cleaned to ensure thoroughess?
A. By rinsing them under cold running water only.
B. By using a high pressure water jet to flush them.
C. By using a long-handled brush specifically designed for lumens.
D. By soaking them in a disinfectant solution for an extended period.
Answer. C. By using a long-handled brush specifically designed for lumens.
The question focuses on the proper cleaning of lumens which are the hollow channels in
surgical instruments. The keyword lumens and the need for thoroughess are key clues. Lumens
require mechanical cleaning with a brush of the appropriate size to physically remove soil and
debris. Simply rinsing or soaking is often insufficient to dislodge dried-on biological matter within
these narrow channels. Using the correct brush ensures you reach all internal surfaces, which is
critical for preventing infection. Always remember that brushes are your best friend for cleaning
inside lumens.
Question four.
What is the primary purpose of a chemical indicator CI on a sterile package?
A to confirm the sterility of the contents within the package.
B to indicate that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process.
C to measure the level of humidity within the sterilizer chamber.
D to determine the penetration of the sterilent into all areas of the load.
Answer B to indicate that the package has been exposed to the sterilization process.
This question tests understanding of chemical indicators, sea ice, and their role in the
sterilization process. The phrase exposed to the sterilization process is the most crucial clue.
Sea ice change color when exposed to specific sterilization parameters like heat or steam,
showing that the package has gone through the cycle. However, they do not guarantee sterility
as they don't confirm the killing of microorganisms. Think of a CI as a yes, it went in the sterilizer
sign.
Question five.
Which of the following describes a highle disinfectant HLD?
A kills all microorganisms except a small number of bacterial spores.
B kill kills viruses, fungi, and all vegetative bacteria, but not necessarily all bacterial spores.
C. Kills vegetative bacteria and some viruses, but not fungi or spores.
D. Kills all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
Answer: B. kills viruses, fungi and all vegetative bacteria but not necessarily all bacterial
spores.
The question is about the definition of highle disinfection HLD. The key here is understanding
the spectrum of microbial kill for different disinfection levels. HLDs are designed to kill most
microorganisms, including viruses, fungi, and all types of bacteria, vegetative bacteria, but they
might not always kill all bacterial spores, which require sterilization. This level of disinfection is
, used for semi-critical items that come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
Remember, highle disinfection is close to sterilization, but doesn't guarantee spore death.
Question six.
What is the ideal temperature range for storing sterile packages?
A. 40 to 50° F, 4 to 10° C.
B 50 to 60° F, 10 to 15° C.
C 60 to 70° F, 15 to 21° C.
D 70 to 80° F, 21 to 27°.
Answer C. 60 to 70° F, 15 to 21° C.
This question probes knowledge of optimal storage conditions for sterile items. The keywords
ideal temperature range and storing sterile packages are important. Maintaining a consistent
moderate temperature helps prevent condensation, which can compromise the integrity of
sterile packaging. Extremes in temperature can lead to moisture formation or material
degradation. A controlled room temperature within this range is generally recommended to
maintain sterility. Keeping sterile items in a stable, moderate environment is key to preserving
their sterility.
Question seven,
what is the term for the process of rendering a medical device safe to handle by reducing or
eliminating pathogenic microorganisms?
A. Sterilization,
B. Disinfection,
C. Decontamination,
D. Sanitization.
Answer: C. Decontamination.
This question asks for the overarching term for making a device safe to handle. The keywords
safe to handle and reducing or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms define the initial crucial
step in processing used instruments. Decontamination encompasses all the initial steps taken to
remove gross soil and reduce the bio burden making the items safe for further handling and
processing. Sterilization and disinfection are more specific processes that occur after
decontamination. Think of decontamination as the first step in cleaning up any potentially
harmful items.
Question eight.
Which type of sterilization uses low temperature gas plasma and is suitable for heat and
moisture sensitive medical devices?
A. Ethylene oxide eo sterilization.
B. Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization.
C. Steam sterilization.
D. Dry heat sterilization.
