Chapter 5: Decontamination – Study Questions – Sterile Processing – 2026 –
Practice Guide
Cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Removal of Contamination from an item to the extent necessary
for further processing or for the intended use
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ The use of physical or chemical means to remove,
inactive, or destroy blood-borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no
longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for
handling, use, or disposal.
Application of a thermal or chemical disinfection process - correct answer ✔✔ The second step
of decon is the
The disinfection process - correct answer ✔✔ Is used when cleaning alone may not be enough
to make the item safe for reuse or further handling without transmitting disease.
Bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ The microorganisms on a contaminated item.
60F to 65F (16c to 18c) ; 30% to 60% - correct answer ✔✔ The Decon area should allow temp
and humidity control so that the temp can be maintained in the range of _________ and the
humidity can be maintained in the range of __________________.
Daily - correct answer ✔✔ Temp and humidity should be monitored and documented
Negative - correct answer ✔✔ Because of the potentially high levels of contaminants in the
decon area, the ventilation system should be designed to maintain _____ air pressure relative to
surrounding areas.
, 10 - correct answer ✔✔ There should be at least _____ air exchanges per hour in decon.
Protective attire - correct answer ✔✔ All employees should be trained in the appropriate
______ _______ to be worn for the tasks they perform and in the potential health and
disciplinary consequences if they fail to do so. Crystal
Wash there hands. - correct answer ✔✔ Personnel should remove PPE when they leave the
decontamination area and then immediately
Enzymatic - correct answer ✔✔ To prevent soils from drying on the surfaces of the items, the
items should be placed in an appropriate container and coated with an ______ foam or gel
designed for this purpose.
Pyrogens - correct answer ✔✔ Dead microorganisms in soil or organic debris left behind on
medical devices such as surgical instrumentation after sterilization can form ________(fever-
producing substances)
Biofilms - correct answer ✔✔ Soaking items for prolonged periods should be avoided because
of the potential for the formation of _________.
Microorganisms - correct answer ✔✔ ____________ can be protected from disinfectants by the
production of thick masses of cells and extraceller
Disease - correct answer ✔✔ The object of decon is to make an item safe for reuse and/or for
further handling by personnel in preparation for reuse and to prevent the transmission of
__________.
MIFU - correct answer ✔✔ Before a medical device is cleaned, the ________ must be obtained.
Practice Guide
Cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Removal of Contamination from an item to the extent necessary
for further processing or for the intended use
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ The use of physical or chemical means to remove,
inactive, or destroy blood-borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no
longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for
handling, use, or disposal.
Application of a thermal or chemical disinfection process - correct answer ✔✔ The second step
of decon is the
The disinfection process - correct answer ✔✔ Is used when cleaning alone may not be enough
to make the item safe for reuse or further handling without transmitting disease.
Bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ The microorganisms on a contaminated item.
60F to 65F (16c to 18c) ; 30% to 60% - correct answer ✔✔ The Decon area should allow temp
and humidity control so that the temp can be maintained in the range of _________ and the
humidity can be maintained in the range of __________________.
Daily - correct answer ✔✔ Temp and humidity should be monitored and documented
Negative - correct answer ✔✔ Because of the potentially high levels of contaminants in the
decon area, the ventilation system should be designed to maintain _____ air pressure relative to
surrounding areas.
, 10 - correct answer ✔✔ There should be at least _____ air exchanges per hour in decon.
Protective attire - correct answer ✔✔ All employees should be trained in the appropriate
______ _______ to be worn for the tasks they perform and in the potential health and
disciplinary consequences if they fail to do so. Crystal
Wash there hands. - correct answer ✔✔ Personnel should remove PPE when they leave the
decontamination area and then immediately
Enzymatic - correct answer ✔✔ To prevent soils from drying on the surfaces of the items, the
items should be placed in an appropriate container and coated with an ______ foam or gel
designed for this purpose.
Pyrogens - correct answer ✔✔ Dead microorganisms in soil or organic debris left behind on
medical devices such as surgical instrumentation after sterilization can form ________(fever-
producing substances)
Biofilms - correct answer ✔✔ Soaking items for prolonged periods should be avoided because
of the potential for the formation of _________.
Microorganisms - correct answer ✔✔ ____________ can be protected from disinfectants by the
production of thick masses of cells and extraceller
Disease - correct answer ✔✔ The object of decon is to make an item safe for reuse and/or for
further handling by personnel in preparation for reuse and to prevent the transmission of
__________.
MIFU - correct answer ✔✔ Before a medical device is cleaned, the ________ must be obtained.
