HSPA | CHL
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Healthcare Sterile
Processing Exam
HSPA CHL | 2026/2027
100 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Sterilization & Disinfection Regulatory Standards
Instrument Processing Quality Assurance & Safety
Infection Control Principles
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Sterilization & Disinfection | Q1-Q20 | HSPA CHL 2026/2027
Question 1 Question 1 of 100
An evening shift sterile processing lead in a 400-bed regional medical center is reviewing the
printout from a dynamic air removal steam sterilizer. The technician notes that while the
exposure temperature reached 270 F (132 C), the exposure time was recorded as only 3
minutes for a fully loaded instrument cart. How should the leader direct the technician to
handle this sterilization load?
A. Release the load immediately because 3 minutes is sufficient for rapid-action dynamic air
removal sterilization cycles.
B. Perform an immediate biological indicator test on one tray from the load and release the
instruments if the rapid-readout result is negative.
C. Quarantine the entire load, abort the release, and initiate full reprocessing of all items
using a validated 4-minute exposure cycle.
D. Extend the subsequent aeration drying time by 15 minutes to compensate for the shortened
thermal sterilization exposure duration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
For standard dynamic air removal (pre-vacuum) steam sterilization of wrapped surgical instrument trays,
ANSI/AAMI ST79 mandates a minimum exposure time of 4 minutes at 270 F (132 C). A 3-minute exposure
time represents a critical process failure that renders the sterilization cycle invalid and unsterile. All items in
the load must be quarantined and completely reprocessed, as biological indicator testing cannot override a
failure in physical cycle parameters.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 102
, Question 2 Question 2 of 100
During a morning quality audit in an outpatient surgical clinic, the sterile processing supervisor
checks the biological indicator (BI) incubator logs for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers.
The supervisor notices that a control BI was not incubated with the daily test load from the
previous afternoon. What action should the supervisor take regarding the loads processed
yesterday?
A. Validate the loads based solely on the passing chemical indicator strips inside the instrument
trays.
B. Record the test BI as negative and permit the surgical center to proceed with scheduled morning
cases without interruption.
C. Invalidate the test results from yesterday, quarantine any unused trays from those cycles,
and immediately run a new BI test with a positive control.
D. Adjust the calibration of the incubator temperature display and re-evaluate the test BI after an
additional 12 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A biological indicator test is invalid without a corresponding positive control from the same lot incubated
concurrently to prove that the spore spores were viable and the incubator is functioning properly. When a
control is omitted, the sterility assurance of that day's loads cannot be verified. The supervisor must
invalidate the previous run, quarantine available trays, and retest with a proper control.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 102
, Question 3 Question 3 of 100
A sterile processing technician in a Level I trauma center is preparing a multi-level rigid
sterilization container for a heavy orthopedic instrumentation set. The container manufacturer's
Instructions for Use (IFU) state that two disposable paper filters must be secured on the lid and
two on the bottom. What is the most critical inspection step before the technician secures the
filter retention plates?
A. Verify that the filter plates are lubricated with silicone spray to ensure a completely hermetic
vacuum seal during pressurization.
B. Confirm that the container bottom has been wiped with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to eliminate
surface bioburden prior to assembly.
C. Check that the paper filters are stacked in double layers on each post to increase microbial
filtration efficiency during high-pressure cycles.
D. Ensure that the perforated metal container surface around the filter posts is entirely
clean, dry, and free of detergent residues or lint.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Any moisture, chemical residue, debris, or lint trapped between the filter paper and the container sealing
surface can compromise the seal or create a pathway for microbial ingress after sterilization. Ensuring the
area is completely clean and dry ensures proper filter seating and barrier integrity. Stacking filters in double
layers contradicts IFUs and can impede sterilant penetration.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 4 of 102
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Healthcare Sterile
Processing Exam
HSPA CHL | 2026/2027
100 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Sterilization & Disinfection Regulatory Standards
Instrument Processing Quality Assurance & Safety
Infection Control Principles
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Sterilization & Disinfection | Q1-Q20 | HSPA CHL 2026/2027
Question 1 Question 1 of 100
An evening shift sterile processing lead in a 400-bed regional medical center is reviewing the
printout from a dynamic air removal steam sterilizer. The technician notes that while the
exposure temperature reached 270 F (132 C), the exposure time was recorded as only 3
minutes for a fully loaded instrument cart. How should the leader direct the technician to
handle this sterilization load?
A. Release the load immediately because 3 minutes is sufficient for rapid-action dynamic air
removal sterilization cycles.
B. Perform an immediate biological indicator test on one tray from the load and release the
instruments if the rapid-readout result is negative.
C. Quarantine the entire load, abort the release, and initiate full reprocessing of all items
using a validated 4-minute exposure cycle.
D. Extend the subsequent aeration drying time by 15 minutes to compensate for the shortened
thermal sterilization exposure duration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
For standard dynamic air removal (pre-vacuum) steam sterilization of wrapped surgical instrument trays,
ANSI/AAMI ST79 mandates a minimum exposure time of 4 minutes at 270 F (132 C). A 3-minute exposure
time represents a critical process failure that renders the sterilization cycle invalid and unsterile. All items in
the load must be quarantined and completely reprocessed, as biological indicator testing cannot override a
failure in physical cycle parameters.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 102
, Question 2 Question 2 of 100
During a morning quality audit in an outpatient surgical clinic, the sterile processing supervisor
checks the biological indicator (BI) incubator logs for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers.
The supervisor notices that a control BI was not incubated with the daily test load from the
previous afternoon. What action should the supervisor take regarding the loads processed
yesterday?
A. Validate the loads based solely on the passing chemical indicator strips inside the instrument
trays.
B. Record the test BI as negative and permit the surgical center to proceed with scheduled morning
cases without interruption.
C. Invalidate the test results from yesterday, quarantine any unused trays from those cycles,
and immediately run a new BI test with a positive control.
D. Adjust the calibration of the incubator temperature display and re-evaluate the test BI after an
additional 12 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A biological indicator test is invalid without a corresponding positive control from the same lot incubated
concurrently to prove that the spore spores were viable and the incubator is functioning properly. When a
control is omitted, the sterility assurance of that day's loads cannot be verified. The supervisor must
invalidate the previous run, quarantine available trays, and retest with a proper control.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 102
, Question 3 Question 3 of 100
A sterile processing technician in a Level I trauma center is preparing a multi-level rigid
sterilization container for a heavy orthopedic instrumentation set. The container manufacturer's
Instructions for Use (IFU) state that two disposable paper filters must be secured on the lid and
two on the bottom. What is the most critical inspection step before the technician secures the
filter retention plates?
A. Verify that the filter plates are lubricated with silicone spray to ensure a completely hermetic
vacuum seal during pressurization.
B. Confirm that the container bottom has been wiped with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to eliminate
surface bioburden prior to assembly.
C. Check that the paper filters are stacked in double layers on each post to increase microbial
filtration efficiency during high-pressure cycles.
D. Ensure that the perforated metal container surface around the filter posts is entirely
clean, dry, and free of detergent residues or lint.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Any moisture, chemical residue, debris, or lint trapped between the filter paper and the container sealing
surface can compromise the seal or create a pathway for microbial ingress after sterilization. Ensuring the
area is completely clean and dry ensures proper filter seating and barrier integrity. Stacking filters in double
layers contradicts IFUs and can impede sterilant penetration.
HSPA CHL — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 4 of 102
