FREE CRCST Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide 9th Edition
What is the primary role of a sterile processing technician? To ensure the sterilization and cleanliness of medical instruments
What does the term "asepsis" mean? Free from infection or infectious material
Which body system is most relevant to understanding the Skeletal system
sterilization needs of surgical instruments?
Which type of microorganism is commonly associated with Bacteria
hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?
Which organization is responsible for setting standards for AAMI
sterile processing?
What is the first step in the decontamination process at the Rinsing with water
point of use?
What is the primary goal of the cleaning process? Removal of visible soil and contaminants
What is the difference between high-level disinfection and High-level disinfection kills all microorganisms; low-level disinfection does not
low-level disinfection?
Which type of surgical instrument is used to hold tissue? Forceps
What is a common issue with complex surgical instruments Mechanical failure
that technicians must monitor?
What is the most common method of high-temperature Steam
sterilization?
Which method of low-temperature sterilization is often Ethylene oxide
used for heat-sensitive instruments?
Which system is commonly used to track instruments and Instrument Tracking System (ITS)
sterilization cycles?
Why is continuing education important for sterile To keep updated with the latest practices and technologies
processing technicians?
A surgical instrument set is needed urgently, but the Immediate-use sterilization
standard sterilization cycle takes 30 minutes. Which
method should you use?
, FREE CRCST Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide 9th Edition
During a routine inspection, you notice a small crack in a Report it and remove it from service for repair or replacement
surgical instrument. What should you do?
You are preparing an instrument set for a surgery that Steam sterilization
involves a high risk of infection. Which type of sterilization
should you choose?
A coworker fails to wear gloves while handling Remind the coworker about the importance of PPE
contaminated instruments. What is the best course of
action?
An instrument package is wet after sterilization. What Repack and resterilize the instruments
should you do?
You receive a new type of surgical instrument with Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU)
unfamiliar components. What should you do first?
What is a biological indicator? A preparation of living spores resistant to the sterilizing agent
What is the purpose of a chemical indicator on a package? To differentiate between sterilized and unsterilized items
What are some devices that monitor the functions of Gauges, thermometers, timers, and/or recorders
sterilizers?
What parameter affects all other dependent parameters in Gas concentration
ethylene oxide sterilization?
What is the basis of the steam sterilization process? Direct saturated steam contact with items to be sterilized
What sterilization method is used for items that are heat or Ethylene oxide sterilization
moisture sensitive?
What is the purpose of adding moisture to heat during To hasten the process of thermal destruction of microbial life
sterilization?
Which type of microorganism is the most resistant of all Bacterial spores
living organisms?
What are recipe cards used for in the assembly and To provide instructions for assembling each set or tray
packaging process?
What should be inspected on instruments after cleaning The surface and crannies for gross soil, jaws and teeth of hinged instruments,
before they are packaged for reuse or storage? sharpness of cutting edges
, FREE CRCST Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide 9th Edition
What is the purpose of the ultrasonic washer in the To remove fine soil from surgical instruments after manual cleaning and before
decontamination process? sterilization
What is the purpose of the Decontamination Area in a To clean and decontaminate reusable equipment, instruments, and supplies
Sterile Processing Department?
What happens to items after assembly or sterilization in a They are transferred to the sterile storage area
Sterile Processing Department?
What are the major functions carried out in the distribution Case cart preparation and delivery, exchange cart inventory, telephone-order and
area? requisition-order filling, and patient care equipment delivery
Prior to the establishment of the Sterile Processing In the patient care areas in which they were to be used
Department, where were medical/surgical supplies
processed and maintained?
What are the four major areas in a Sterile Processing Decontamination, Assembly and Sterile Processing, Sterile Storage, and
Department? Distribution
What is the significance of the last two letters of a singular They determine the plural form of the word
suffix in medical terminology?
How are medical terms with multiple roots constructed? By using multiple roots with a combining vowel in between
What is the function of a suffix in a medical term? To define whether the word is a noun, verb, or adjective
What is the purpose of a prefix in a medical term? To indicate a location, direction, type, quality, or quantity
What is the purpose of a combining vowel in medical To aid in pronunciation
terms?
Where do most medical terms come from? Latin and Greek
What is the definition of anatomy? The study of the structure and relationship between body parts
What is the function of the muscular system? To produce heat, maintain body posture and position, and move body fluids
What is the function of the cardiac muscle? To pump blood throughout the body
What is the primary role of a sterile processing technician? To ensure the sterilization and cleanliness of medical instruments
What does the term "asepsis" mean? Free from infection or infectious material
Which body system is most relevant to understanding the Skeletal system
sterilization needs of surgical instruments?
Which type of microorganism is commonly associated with Bacteria
hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?
Which organization is responsible for setting standards for AAMI
sterile processing?
What is the first step in the decontamination process at the Rinsing with water
point of use?
What is the primary goal of the cleaning process? Removal of visible soil and contaminants
What is the difference between high-level disinfection and High-level disinfection kills all microorganisms; low-level disinfection does not
low-level disinfection?
Which type of surgical instrument is used to hold tissue? Forceps
What is a common issue with complex surgical instruments Mechanical failure
that technicians must monitor?
What is the most common method of high-temperature Steam
sterilization?
Which method of low-temperature sterilization is often Ethylene oxide
used for heat-sensitive instruments?
Which system is commonly used to track instruments and Instrument Tracking System (ITS)
sterilization cycles?
Why is continuing education important for sterile To keep updated with the latest practices and technologies
processing technicians?
A surgical instrument set is needed urgently, but the Immediate-use sterilization
standard sterilization cycle takes 30 minutes. Which
method should you use?
, FREE CRCST Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide 9th Edition
During a routine inspection, you notice a small crack in a Report it and remove it from service for repair or replacement
surgical instrument. What should you do?
You are preparing an instrument set for a surgery that Steam sterilization
involves a high risk of infection. Which type of sterilization
should you choose?
A coworker fails to wear gloves while handling Remind the coworker about the importance of PPE
contaminated instruments. What is the best course of
action?
An instrument package is wet after sterilization. What Repack and resterilize the instruments
should you do?
You receive a new type of surgical instrument with Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU)
unfamiliar components. What should you do first?
What is a biological indicator? A preparation of living spores resistant to the sterilizing agent
What is the purpose of a chemical indicator on a package? To differentiate between sterilized and unsterilized items
What are some devices that monitor the functions of Gauges, thermometers, timers, and/or recorders
sterilizers?
What parameter affects all other dependent parameters in Gas concentration
ethylene oxide sterilization?
What is the basis of the steam sterilization process? Direct saturated steam contact with items to be sterilized
What sterilization method is used for items that are heat or Ethylene oxide sterilization
moisture sensitive?
What is the purpose of adding moisture to heat during To hasten the process of thermal destruction of microbial life
sterilization?
Which type of microorganism is the most resistant of all Bacterial spores
living organisms?
What are recipe cards used for in the assembly and To provide instructions for assembling each set or tray
packaging process?
What should be inspected on instruments after cleaning The surface and crannies for gross soil, jaws and teeth of hinged instruments,
before they are packaged for reuse or storage? sharpness of cutting edges
, FREE CRCST Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide 9th Edition
What is the purpose of the ultrasonic washer in the To remove fine soil from surgical instruments after manual cleaning and before
decontamination process? sterilization
What is the purpose of the Decontamination Area in a To clean and decontaminate reusable equipment, instruments, and supplies
Sterile Processing Department?
What happens to items after assembly or sterilization in a They are transferred to the sterile storage area
Sterile Processing Department?
What are the major functions carried out in the distribution Case cart preparation and delivery, exchange cart inventory, telephone-order and
area? requisition-order filling, and patient care equipment delivery
Prior to the establishment of the Sterile Processing In the patient care areas in which they were to be used
Department, where were medical/surgical supplies
processed and maintained?
What are the four major areas in a Sterile Processing Decontamination, Assembly and Sterile Processing, Sterile Storage, and
Department? Distribution
What is the significance of the last two letters of a singular They determine the plural form of the word
suffix in medical terminology?
How are medical terms with multiple roots constructed? By using multiple roots with a combining vowel in between
What is the function of a suffix in a medical term? To define whether the word is a noun, verb, or adjective
What is the purpose of a prefix in a medical term? To indicate a location, direction, type, quality, or quantity
What is the purpose of a combining vowel in medical To aid in pronunciation
terms?
Where do most medical terms come from? Latin and Greek
What is the definition of anatomy? The study of the structure and relationship between body parts
What is the function of the muscular system? To produce heat, maintain body posture and position, and move body fluids
What is the function of the cardiac muscle? To pump blood throughout the body
