Sterile Processing Test Questions & Answers 2024

Soiled instruments and other items are received in the are of Central Sterile A) Preparation B) Packaging C) Decontamination D) Sterilization - Answer: Decontamination is the first step in the sterilization process C) Testing D) Cleaning - Answer: Cleaning Central Service Techs must wear special attire referred to as to minimize their exposure to blood borne pathogens and other contaminants A) PPE B) OSHA C) TPA D) CDC - Answer: PPE Instrument sets and other required instrumentation needed for all surgical procedures for an entire day are normally "pulled": A) Two days before needed B) the day or evening before needed C) the morning of the planned surgery D) early morning for morning procedures and early afternoon for afternoon procedures - Answers: the day or evening before needed Detailed instructions, provided by the manufacturer, on how to use and process medical devices are called: A) physicians preference card B) manufacturers safe practices C) instructions for use D) safety Data sheet - Answer: Instructions for use The use of analytical skills to solve problems and make decisions is a component of which of the following knowledge and skill dimensions? A) communication abilities A) Receiving B) Inspection B) facility system responsibilities C) Employability skills D) safety practices - Answer: Employability skills Healthcare-associated infections are: A) most likely to occur during international travel B) caused by a drug resistant organisms C) Those without known cures D) those which occur in the course of being treated in a hospital - Answer: those which occur in the course of being treated in a hospital The human resources tool that identifies major task performed by persons in specific positions is called a: A) task competency B) job specification C) task summary review D) job description - Answer: Job Description In the future, which of the following will more frequently become a requirement for working in a Central Service department? A) on-the-job training B) Experience C) Formal Education D) Reference for the facility administrator - Answer: Formal Education The document that identifies physicians needs for a specific medical procedure is called: A) preference card B) instructions for use C) cast cart system D) integrated delivery network - Answer: preference card Rings and other jewelry should not be worn in the Central Service department work areas because: A) they harbor bacteria B) they are expensive C) they may be damaged D) they may be misplaced or stolen - Answer: they harbor bacteria During handwashing, hands should be lathered and scrubber for at least: A) 10 seconds B) 15 seconds C) 20 Seconds D) 1 minute - Answer: 20 seconds The only way to interrupt the transmission of a causative agent is to: A) sterilize the item B) wear appropriate personal protective equipment C) eliminate it D) involve the occupational safety and health admin - Answer: eliminate it Dress codes apply to: A) everyone entering the CS department B) only hospital employees C) only persons who will be spending more than 10 minutes in the CS area D) only visitors such as sales reps, maintenance personnel, etc - Answer: everyone entering the CS dept The decontamination area of the CS department should have: A) negative pressure B) positive pressure C) 20 air exchanges per hour D) no air exchanges because it is a biohazard area - Answer: negative pressure To facilitate the cleaning process, soil on used instruments should be allowed to dry A) true B) False - Answer: False It is acceptable to transport soiled and clean items in the same cart if they are placed on separate shelves A) true B) false - Answer: false Failure to preform soiled pick up rounds as scheduled can lead to instrument and equipment shortages A) true B) false - Answer: true What is the most common PH for detergents used for most cleaning processes A) low pH B) high pH C) neutral pH - Answer: neutral pH To prevent coagulation of proteins, instruments should be pre-rinsed using: A) cool water B) warm water C) a neutral detergent D) a disinfectant rinse - Answer: cool water Written cleaning instructions for medical devices should be provided by: A) the mechanical washer manufacturer B) the instrument manufacturer C) the detergent manufacturer D) the healthcare facility - Answer: the instrument manufacturer To prevent the growth of biofilm, soiled instruments should be transported to CS every hour: A) true B) False - Answer: False These are used to breakdown fatty deposits on instruments: A) protease enzymes B) lipase enzymes C) amylase enzymes D) natural pH cleaners - Answer: lipase enzymes One goal of point of use preparation is to prevent instruments from being damaged A) true B) false - Answer: true Mechanical cleaning products should be: A) low alkaline B) low acid C) low temp D) low foaming - Answer: low foaming The use of heat to kill microorganisms, except spores is called: A) sterilization B) thermal disinfection C) high level disinfection D) mechanical disinfection - Answer: thermal disenfection The process by which all forms of microorganizms are completely destroyed is called: A) high level disinfection B) thermal disinfection C) sterilization D) chemical disinfection - Answer: sterilization Items that are introduced directly into the bloodstream or other normally sterile areas of the body are classified as: A) critical items B) semi critical items C) non critical items D) medical equipment - Answer: critical items How long must alcohol remain in wet contact with an item to achieve a reasonable level of disinfection? A) 3 minutes B) 5 minutes C) 10 minutes D) 20 minutes - Answer: 5 minutes Because all Central Service Departments are structured alike, healthcare facilities use one standard job description for all central service techs A) true B) False - Answer: false Maintaining confidentiality is an example of: A) communication skills B) employability skills C) legal responsibility D) ethics - Answer: legal responsibility Which of the following is NOT a growing trend in Central Service? A) decentralization of central service responsibilities B) the use of more reusable and more complex devices C) satellite processing units with centralized management D) consolidation into entire integrated delivery networks - Answer: decentralization of central service responsibilities In central service, the concept of "one-way flow of materials" refers to the movement of products: A) from central service to surgical areas B) from surgical areas to central service C) from soiled areas to clean processing areas within central service D) from clean processing areas to soiled areas in central service - Answer: from soiled areas to lean processing areas within central service Surgical instruments should be inspected when they are: A) soiled B) cleaned C) sterilized D) safe to handle - Answer: safe to handle Each area in a Central Service department should be restricted to: A) central service managers and supervisors B) operating room personnel C) central service employees only D) assigned and authorized personnel meeting the facilities dress code requirements - Answer: assigned and authorized personnel meeting the facilities dress code requirements Career growth and progression is virtually non-existent for central service techs A) true B) false - Answer: false An integrated delivery network is: A) a computerized case cart system B) a GPO C) a system of healthcare providers D) a system of vendors - Answer: a system of healthcare providers Central Service techs must be able to identify approximately 100 surgical instruments in order to be proficient in their jobs A) true B) false - Answer: False Stainless steel jaw needle holders last longer than tungsten carbide jaw needle holders A) True B) False - Answer: False The place where the two parts of a ring handled instrument meet and pivot is called the box lock A) True B) false - Answer: True The part of a surgical instrument that locks the handle in place is called the box lock A) true B) false - Answer: false During instrument manufacture the process of passivation helps build a protective chromium oxide layer on instruments surface A) True B) false - Answer: true Scissors with Tungsten carbide cutting edges are usually identified by: A) black handles B) silver handles C) gold handles D) the letters TC - Answer: Gold handles Which of the following should be used to thoroughly rinse (remove) all traces of disinfectant from an endoscopes channels A) forced air B) water containing approved sterilant C) treated water D) heated glutaraldehyde - Answer: treated water The purpose of using a decontamination battery or cord when cleaning powered surgical instruments: A) to protect the electrical components from moisture B) to keep functioning batteries and cords clean C) to prevent electrical shock D) to test the unit while cleaning - Answer: to protect the electrical components from moisture Loaner instruments should: A) be decontaminated if they appear soiled upon arrival B) be sterilized using a low temperature process C) be decontaminated upon receipt and after use D) should not be used - Answer: be decontaminated upon receipt and after use Electronic testing of laparoscopic insulation should be done: A) in the decontamination area prior to cleaning B) in the clean assembly area prior to set assembly C) in the factory or onsite repair unit D) in the operating room at the end of the procedure - Answer: in the clean assembly area prior to set assembly After use, loaner instrumentation must be decontaminated before it is shipped out A) true B) false - Answer: true When arranging plastic- paper pouches in the sterilizer, the pouches should be arranged: A) paper-to-plastic B) paper-to-paper C) plastic-to-plastic D) the way in which the most packages can be placed in the sterilizer - Answer: paper-to-plastic When placing ring-handled instruments in an instrument tray, you should: A) lock the handles to prevent damage during sterilization B) arrange the instruments in alphabetical order C) arrange the instruments in the order of their use D) unlock the handles and open the instruments - Answer: unlock the handles and open the instruments Microgrind or supercut scissors are usually identified with a black handle A) true B) false - Answer: True Which of the following is NOT an acceptable sterilization packaging material? A) muslin B) barrier cloth C) canvas D) twills - Answer: canvas Rigid sterilization containers have tamper-evident seals A) true B) false - Answer: True Reusable textile packaging requires less labor than disposable packaging A) true B) false - Answer: False Information regarding cleaning of specific endoscopes should be provided by: A) the society of gastroenterology nurses and associates B) the association for professionals in infection control and epidemiology C) the endoscope manufacturer D) the operating room staff - Answer: the endoscope manufacturer heat-sensitive items: A) cannot be immediate use stem sterilized B) should be disposable C) must not be immersed D) should not be used - Answer: cannot be immediate use steam sterilized Sterilizer gauges and/or control monitors should be checked: A) at the end of the shift B) every 24 hours C) by the supervisor D) throughout the cycle - Answer: throughout the cycle In order to elevate the temperature in a steam sterilizer, you must: A) increase the steam pressure B) decrease the steam pressure C) achieve ambient pressure D) inject boiler amines - Answer: increase the steam pressure Bowie dick tests should be run in: A) prevacuum steam sterilizers B) downward displacement sterilizers C) ethylene oxide sterilizers D) washer sterilizers - Answer: prevacuum steam sterilizers After sterilization the load contents may take two hours or more to cool A) true B) false - Answer: true Which of the following measurements is designed to provide a written record of sterilizer cycle activity? A) biological tests B) bowie dick tests C) mechanical recording charts/printouts D) chemical integrators - Answer: Mechanical recording charts/printouts When combining loads, hard goods should be placed on the top of the shelves to allow for more efficient removal of the condensate A) true B) false - Answer: false How frequently should a sterilizers strainer be removed and cleaned? A) daily B) after each use C) once weekly D) only when the machines operating control gauge indicates cleaning is necessary - Answer: Daily When loading the steam sterilizer, items with solid bottoms should be: A) placed in an upright position B) placed flat C) placed so the air can exit the package D) placed in a wire basket - Answer: placed so the air can exit the package When loading a steam sterilizer paper/plastic sterilization pouches: A) are not suitable for steam sterilization processes B) should be placed on edge C) should be used only for dry heat sterilization processes D) are used to package wood cork products for sterilization - Answer: should be placed on edge The higher the bioburden on an object: A) the more difficult it will be to sterilize B) the less time it will take to sterilize C) the more biological test you will need in the load D) the longer it will take to cool after sterilization - Answer: the more difficult it will be to sterilize Ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide and ozone sterilization can all use the same packaging materials A) true B) false - Answer: false Information about a devices compatibility with a specific sterilization process should be obtained from the devices manufacturer A) true B) false - Answer: true Aeration is required for items sterilized in an ozone sterilizer A) true B) false - Answer: false Relative humidity is a required cycle parameter for ozone and ethylene oxide sterilization A) true B) false - Answer: true Ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide and ozone sterilization processes must all be monitored using chemical, physical and biological monitors A) true B) false - Answer: true The process by which instruments are cleaned and steam stylized for immediate use is called: A) emergency sterilization B) immediate use steam sterilization C) core sterilization D) rapid reprocessesing - Answer: immediate use steam sterilization Before an item can be placed in a point-of-use low temperature disinfection/sterilization processing system it must be: A) heated B) filled with air C) sterilized D) cleaned - Answer: cleaned Which of the following statements about immediate use steam sterilization is true? A) it is the sterilization method of choice for metal instruments B) it is recommended to be used as a primary sterilization process by AAMI and AORN C) it should be used only when there is not enough time to send the items to CS - Answer: it should be used only when there is not enough time to send the items to CS The main theory of Standard Precautions is that: A) patients in high-risk categories may be infectious B) patients diagnosed with a specific disease may be infectious C) patients are generally healthy unless they show symptoms of an infectious disease D) patients blood and bodily fluids must be treated as infectious - Answer: patients blood and bodily fluids must be treated as infectious Which of the following best completes this statement? HIPPA regulations: A) are related to employee safety B) require all employees to receive a Hep B vaccine C) are a food and drug admin pre-market requirement D) provide national standards to protect patients medical records - Answer: provide national standards to protect patients medical records The inventory system that stocks supplied by established sock levels is called: A) periodic automated replenishment system (par-level) B) case cart C) ADT system D) exchange system - Answer: Par-level Item locator system: A) move from manual to computerized storage B) keep items accessible and easily located C) are ineffective D) are not recommended for small facilities - Answer: keep items accessible and easily located Implants are an example of: A) operational supplies B) reprocessable instruments C) patient care supplies D) restricted supplies - Answer: patient care supplies The movement of supplies throughout the healthcare facility is called: A) distribution B) inventory management C) case cart system D) procurement - Answer: distribution Supplies such as disposable wraps are called: A) operational supplies B) capital supplies C) patient care supplies D) non-refundable supplies - Answer: operational supplies Capital equipment items are: A) usually used for patient care B) items with a lower purchase cost C) items with a higher purchase cost D) purchased, stored, consumed and reordered - Answer: items with a higher purchase cost Which of the following info is NOT included on a SDS? A) special precautions B) physical data C) required inventory levels D) product identification - Answer: required inventory levels SDS are provided by: A) OSHA B) the FDA C) the risk management dept D) the product manufacturer - Answer: product manufacturer Jewelry should NOT be worn in the CS department work areas because it: A) harbors bacteria B) is expensive C) may be damaged D) may be misplaced or stolen - Answer: harbors bacteria Automated supple replenishment systems are: A) no longer used B) used only in surgery C) difficult to manage D) computerized - Answer: computerized Operational supplies are supplies that are dispensed for patient care A) true B) false - Answer: false Disposable items are part of official inventory in a healthcare facility A) true B) false - Answer: True Biological tests are an example of patient care supplies A) true B) false - Answer: false Which of the following distribution systems provides supplies and instruments for individual surgical procedures? A) cart exchange B) par-level C) case cart D) requisition - Answer: Case cart The only way to interrupt the transmission of a causative agent is to: A) sterilize the item B) wear appropriate personal protective equipment C) eliminate it D) involve the OSHA - Answer: eliminate it Departmental dress codes apply to: A) everyone working in or visiting the department B) only hospital employees C) only persons who will be spending more than 10 minutes in the CS work area D) only visitors such as sales reps, maintenance personnel, etc - Answer: everyone working in or visiting the department Healthcare regulations and standards provide consistency of departmental activities by outlining: A) quality and safety B) equal pay practices C) productivity time lines D) all of the above - Answer: quality and safety Chemical indicatiors are FDA devices A) class 1 B) class 2 C) class 3 D) not regulated by FDA - Answer: class 2 Heart valves and pacemakers are examples of the FDA medical devices A) class 1 B) class 2 C) class 3 D) not regulated by the FDA - Answer: class 3 Under current regulations, who is required to report suspected medical device- related deaths for the FDA? A) device manufacturer B) hospitals C) all of the above D) none of the above - Answer: all of the above Standards and regulations help set levels of in our department A) quality B) safety C) efficiency D) both A and B - Answer: both A and B Medical device reporting is regulated by the: A) national fire protection agency B) environmental protection agency C) world health organization D) FDA - Answer: FDA Sometimes state or local regulations differ from Federal regulations and when that happens, the most stringent regulations apply A) true B) false - Answer: true Following the occupational safety and health admin regulations, wearing PPF in the CS decontam area is optional A) true B) false - Answer: false Third party reprocessors are regulated by the FDA A) true B) false - Answer: true Recommendations regarding sterilization practices are provided by the association for the advancement of medical instrumentation A) true B) false - Answer: true The American national standards institute is a voluntary association dedicated to infection control and prevention A) true B) false - Answer: false The department of transportation enforces statutes relating to the: A) transportation of soiled instruments between facilities B) reprocessing guidelines for endoscopes C) temperature and humidity requirements for hallways and loading docks D) transportation of sterilizers across boarders - Answer: transportation of soiled instruments between facilities Failure to receive accreditation for the Joint Commission can result in the loss of Medicare and Medicaid payments A) true B) false - Answer: true The society of gastroenterology nurses and associates is a good resource for information about the proper processing of flexible endoscopes A) true B) false - Answer: true