Chapter 10 – Decontamination, Sterilization, and Disinfection – 2026 – Study and
Practice Guide
Provides recommended practices and technical information for U.S. medical professionals. -
correct answer ✔✔ AAMI
Accreditation agency for all health care organizations in the United States. - correct answer ✔✔
TJC
Professional association for perioperative nurses - correct answer ✔✔ AORN
An organization for which standards are developed with the support of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
a. AAMI
b. AORN
c. CDC
d. TJC - correct answer ✔✔ a. AAMI
Agency of the federal government that provides research and protocols in all areas of public
health - correct answer ✔✔ CDC
Organization that oversees compliance with environmental and patient safety regulations
a. AAMI
b. AORN
c. CDC
d. TJC - correct answer ✔✔ d. TJC
,___ is a chemical used to remove microorganisms on tissue
a. An antiseptic
b. A disinfectant
c. Sterilization
d. All of the above - correct answer ✔✔ a. An antiseptic
The system that assigns a device a risk category based on the specific regions of the body where
the device is used is the ___ system
a. Spaulding
b. Sterilization
c. Dewey
d. Maslow - correct answer ✔✔ a. Spaulding
Which of the following body tissues presents a critical risk in the Spaulding system?
a. Hands
b. Intact skin
c. Vascular system
d. Mucosal membranes - correct answer ✔✔ c. Vascular system
___ is a skilled, certified profession requiring expertise in the science and practice of materials
management, decontamination, and sterilization.
a. Perioperative nursing
b. Anesthesiology
c. Central processing
d. Certified nurse's aides - correct answer ✔✔ c. Central processing
, The ___ is used to transport sterile and nonsterile instruments and equipment to and from the
main operating room area.
a. Crash cart
b. Elevator
c. Case cart - correct answer ✔✔ c. Case cart
The washer-sterilizer or washer-disinfector is used to process all instruments that can tolerate
a. Heat
b. Water turbulence and high-pressure steam
c. Strong disinfectant
d. Cold solution - correct answer ✔✔ b. Water turbulence and high-pressure stream
The ___ includes a workroom with ample table space for sorting instruments and assembling
instrument sets
a. Clean processing area
b. Decontamination area
c. Sterile back table
d. Case cart system - correct answer ✔✔ a. Clean processing area
Instruments that have ___ must be disassembled before sterilization
a. Removable parts
b. Ratchets
c. Sharp edges
d. Blades - correct answer ✔✔ a. Removable parts
Instrument trays have a perforated bottom so that:
a. Steam can circulate up through the tray and adequately cover all surfaces of the instruments
Practice Guide
Provides recommended practices and technical information for U.S. medical professionals. -
correct answer ✔✔ AAMI
Accreditation agency for all health care organizations in the United States. - correct answer ✔✔
TJC
Professional association for perioperative nurses - correct answer ✔✔ AORN
An organization for which standards are developed with the support of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
a. AAMI
b. AORN
c. CDC
d. TJC - correct answer ✔✔ a. AAMI
Agency of the federal government that provides research and protocols in all areas of public
health - correct answer ✔✔ CDC
Organization that oversees compliance with environmental and patient safety regulations
a. AAMI
b. AORN
c. CDC
d. TJC - correct answer ✔✔ d. TJC
,___ is a chemical used to remove microorganisms on tissue
a. An antiseptic
b. A disinfectant
c. Sterilization
d. All of the above - correct answer ✔✔ a. An antiseptic
The system that assigns a device a risk category based on the specific regions of the body where
the device is used is the ___ system
a. Spaulding
b. Sterilization
c. Dewey
d. Maslow - correct answer ✔✔ a. Spaulding
Which of the following body tissues presents a critical risk in the Spaulding system?
a. Hands
b. Intact skin
c. Vascular system
d. Mucosal membranes - correct answer ✔✔ c. Vascular system
___ is a skilled, certified profession requiring expertise in the science and practice of materials
management, decontamination, and sterilization.
a. Perioperative nursing
b. Anesthesiology
c. Central processing
d. Certified nurse's aides - correct answer ✔✔ c. Central processing
, The ___ is used to transport sterile and nonsterile instruments and equipment to and from the
main operating room area.
a. Crash cart
b. Elevator
c. Case cart - correct answer ✔✔ c. Case cart
The washer-sterilizer or washer-disinfector is used to process all instruments that can tolerate
a. Heat
b. Water turbulence and high-pressure steam
c. Strong disinfectant
d. Cold solution - correct answer ✔✔ b. Water turbulence and high-pressure stream
The ___ includes a workroom with ample table space for sorting instruments and assembling
instrument sets
a. Clean processing area
b. Decontamination area
c. Sterile back table
d. Case cart system - correct answer ✔✔ a. Clean processing area
Instruments that have ___ must be disassembled before sterilization
a. Removable parts
b. Ratchets
c. Sharp edges
d. Blades - correct answer ✔✔ a. Removable parts
Instrument trays have a perforated bottom so that:
a. Steam can circulate up through the tray and adequately cover all surfaces of the instruments