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CBSPD STERILE PROCESSING CERTIFICATION
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
1. Which government agency regulates environmental disinfectants used on
floors and walls in the sterile processing department?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. CDC
D. OSHA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates environmental
disinfectants. The FDA regulates medical devices and pharmaceuticals, the CDC
provides infection control guidelines, and OSHA regulates workplace safety .
2. What is the overall role of the Central Service/Sterile Processing Department?
A. To sterilize all medical instruments
B. To provide dependable service to enhance patient care
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C. To manage hospital inventory
D. To maintain surgical equipment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The overall role of CS/SPD is to provide dependable service to enhance
patient care. Sterilization, inventory management, and equipment maintenance
are components, but the primary purpose is supporting patient care .
3. Why is it important to evenly distribute large instruments in a set?
A. Extra condensation will make the set more difficult to dry
B. It prevents damage to the instruments
C. It ensures proper sterilization time
D. It reduces the weight of the set
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Evenly distributing large instruments is important because extra
condensation will make the set more difficult to dry. Uneven distribution causes
moisture accumulation, preventing proper drying .
4. Which of the following is the correct traffic workflow sequence in a sterile
processing department?
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A. Decontamination → Preparation and Packaging → Sterilization → Sterile
Storage
B. Sterilization → Decontamination → Preparation → Sterile Storage
C. Preparation → Decontamination → Sterilization → Sterile Storage
D. Sterile Storage → Decontamination → Preparation → Sterilization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct workflow follows the principle of "clean to dirty" flow:
Decontamination, Preparation and Packaging, Sterilization, and Sterile Storage .
5. How can the function of a ratchet be checked?
A. Closing the ratchet on the first click, then tapping the handle on the worktable
B. Opening and closing the ratchet repeatedly
C. Checking the ratchet under magnification
D. Testing the ratchet with a gauge
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The function of a ratchet is checked by closing it on the first click, then
tapping the handle on the worktable. If the ratchet opens, it is defective .
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6. According to Spaulding's classification, a critical item is one that:
A. Touches intact skin only
B. Must be sterilized
C. Touches mucous membranes
D. Requires only cleaning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical items are those that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system
and must be sterilized. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes and require
high-level disinfection .
7. Which of the following is an example of surgical asepsis?
A. Hand washing
B. Decontamination of equipment
C. Sterilization of instruments
D. Gloving
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical asepsis refers to the complete elimination of all
microorganisms, which is achieved through sterilization. Hand washing and
gloving are medical aseptic practices .
CBSPD STERILE PROCESSING CERTIFICATION
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
1. Which government agency regulates environmental disinfectants used on
floors and walls in the sterile processing department?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. CDC
D. OSHA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates environmental
disinfectants. The FDA regulates medical devices and pharmaceuticals, the CDC
provides infection control guidelines, and OSHA regulates workplace safety .
2. What is the overall role of the Central Service/Sterile Processing Department?
A. To sterilize all medical instruments
B. To provide dependable service to enhance patient care
,2|Page
C. To manage hospital inventory
D. To maintain surgical equipment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The overall role of CS/SPD is to provide dependable service to enhance
patient care. Sterilization, inventory management, and equipment maintenance
are components, but the primary purpose is supporting patient care .
3. Why is it important to evenly distribute large instruments in a set?
A. Extra condensation will make the set more difficult to dry
B. It prevents damage to the instruments
C. It ensures proper sterilization time
D. It reduces the weight of the set
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Evenly distributing large instruments is important because extra
condensation will make the set more difficult to dry. Uneven distribution causes
moisture accumulation, preventing proper drying .
4. Which of the following is the correct traffic workflow sequence in a sterile
processing department?
,3|Page
A. Decontamination → Preparation and Packaging → Sterilization → Sterile
Storage
B. Sterilization → Decontamination → Preparation → Sterile Storage
C. Preparation → Decontamination → Sterilization → Sterile Storage
D. Sterile Storage → Decontamination → Preparation → Sterilization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct workflow follows the principle of "clean to dirty" flow:
Decontamination, Preparation and Packaging, Sterilization, and Sterile Storage .
5. How can the function of a ratchet be checked?
A. Closing the ratchet on the first click, then tapping the handle on the worktable
B. Opening and closing the ratchet repeatedly
C. Checking the ratchet under magnification
D. Testing the ratchet with a gauge
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The function of a ratchet is checked by closing it on the first click, then
tapping the handle on the worktable. If the ratchet opens, it is defective .
, 4|Page
6. According to Spaulding's classification, a critical item is one that:
A. Touches intact skin only
B. Must be sterilized
C. Touches mucous membranes
D. Requires only cleaning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical items are those that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system
and must be sterilized. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes and require
high-level disinfection .
7. Which of the following is an example of surgical asepsis?
A. Hand washing
B. Decontamination of equipment
C. Sterilization of instruments
D. Gloving
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical asepsis refers to the complete elimination of all
microorganisms, which is achieved through sterilization. Hand washing and
gloving are medical aseptic practices .
