Chapter 6: Decontamination – Sterile Processing and Infection Control – 2026 – Study and
Practice Guide
Spaulding’s 3 classifications - correct answer ✔✔ critical, semi-critical, non-critical
critical - correct answer ✔✔ enters a sterile tissue, vascular system or body space, requires
cleaning and sterilization
semi-critical - correct answer ✔✔ touches mucous membranes, requires HLD
non-critical - correct answer ✔✔ touches intact skin, requires LLD
bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ amount of contamination on device
biofilm - correct answer ✔✔ protective coating made by microbes on devices
cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ removes soil and majority of microorganisms
disinfection - correct answer ✔✔ further reduces amount of microorganisms
clean - correct answer ✔✔ being free from bioburden and impurities
items that should not be in mdrd - correct answer ✔✔ soiled linen, sharps, disposable items,
waste solutions
staff safety - correct answer ✔✔ accomplished through attention to dress code and principles of
medical asepsis
, traffic restriction - correct answer ✔✔ locked doors, door bell
work surfaces - correct answer ✔✔ flat, cut resistant, seamless, non-porous
hand hygiene stations - correct answer ✔✔ located at every entrance and exit
emergency equipment - correct answer ✔✔ eyewash station, deluge showers, spill kit
sink - correct answer ✔✔ minimum of 2 that are 24x17x10, lined with a mat and has water-
mixing faucet with nozzle
counter - correct answer ✔✔ 36 in high and on both sides of sink
forced air - correct answer ✔✔ 40-60 psi, medical grade at stp, filtered to .01 micron
water quality - correct answer ✔✔ important consideration as water is primary vehicle in mdrd
water hardness - correct answer ✔✔ measures amount of minerals
soft water - correct answer ✔✔ 0-50 mg/l of calcium carbonate
hard water - correct answer ✔✔ 150+ mg/l of calcium carbonate
ph levels - correct answer ✔✔ measure alkalinity or acidity
Practice Guide
Spaulding’s 3 classifications - correct answer ✔✔ critical, semi-critical, non-critical
critical - correct answer ✔✔ enters a sterile tissue, vascular system or body space, requires
cleaning and sterilization
semi-critical - correct answer ✔✔ touches mucous membranes, requires HLD
non-critical - correct answer ✔✔ touches intact skin, requires LLD
bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ amount of contamination on device
biofilm - correct answer ✔✔ protective coating made by microbes on devices
cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ removes soil and majority of microorganisms
disinfection - correct answer ✔✔ further reduces amount of microorganisms
clean - correct answer ✔✔ being free from bioburden and impurities
items that should not be in mdrd - correct answer ✔✔ soiled linen, sharps, disposable items,
waste solutions
staff safety - correct answer ✔✔ accomplished through attention to dress code and principles of
medical asepsis
, traffic restriction - correct answer ✔✔ locked doors, door bell
work surfaces - correct answer ✔✔ flat, cut resistant, seamless, non-porous
hand hygiene stations - correct answer ✔✔ located at every entrance and exit
emergency equipment - correct answer ✔✔ eyewash station, deluge showers, spill kit
sink - correct answer ✔✔ minimum of 2 that are 24x17x10, lined with a mat and has water-
mixing faucet with nozzle
counter - correct answer ✔✔ 36 in high and on both sides of sink
forced air - correct answer ✔✔ 40-60 psi, medical grade at stp, filtered to .01 micron
water quality - correct answer ✔✔ important consideration as water is primary vehicle in mdrd
water hardness - correct answer ✔✔ measures amount of minerals
soft water - correct answer ✔✔ 0-50 mg/l of calcium carbonate
hard water - correct answer ✔✔ 150+ mg/l of calcium carbonate
ph levels - correct answer ✔✔ measure alkalinity or acidity
