STERILE PROCESSING / SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
(STR) EXAMINATION 350 MULTIPLECHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 130)
1. What is the primary purpose of sterilization in Central Service?
A. Cosmetic cleanliness
B. Elimination of all microorganisms, including spores
C. Removal of only visible dirt
D. Preservation of instruments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial
spores, which are the most resistant form of microorganisms. This is the
fundamental goal of sterilization in healthcare settings.
2. Which of the following is the smallest infectious agent?
A. Bacteria
B. Fungus
C. Virus
D. Protozoa
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Viruses are the smallest infectious agents, ranging from 20300
nanometers. They require a host cell to replicate and cannot survive
independently.
3. Bacterial spores are destroyed by which of the following processes?
A. Disinfection
B. Antisepsis
C. Sterilization
D. Sanitization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Only sterilization can destroy bacterial spores. Disinfection,
antisepsis, and sanitization reduce the number of microorganisms but do not
eliminate spores.
4. What is the term for microorganisms that do not normally reside in the
tissue of an individual?
A. Resident flora
B. Transient flora
C. Pathogenic flora
D. Normal flora
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transient flora are microorganisms that are temporarily present on
the skin and do not normally reside in the tissue of an individual. They are
acquired through contact and can be removed by hand washing.
,5. Which of the following is a Grampositive organism?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus is Grampositive, appearing purple in Gram
stain. E. coli, Pseudomonas, and Neisseria are Gramnegative organisms.
6. The process of removing pathogens from objects to reduce the risk of
infection is called:
A. Sterilization
B. Disinfection
C. Decontamination
D. Sanitization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decontamination is the process of removing or reducing
contamination from instruments and surfaces to make them safe for handling.
It is the first step in the instrument processing cycle.
7. Which type of immunity is acquired through vaccination?
A. Natural active immunity
B. Natural passive immunity
, C. Artificial active immunity
D. Artificial passive immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial active immunity is acquired through vaccination, where
the body produces its own antibodies in response to an antigen. Natural active
immunity occurs after infection; passive immunity involves receiving
antibodies.
8. The time between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of
symptoms is called the:
A. Prodromal period
B. Incubation period
C. Convalescent period
D. Acute period
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incubation period is the time between exposure to a pathogen
and the onset of symptoms. During this time, the pathogen multiplies in the
host.
9. Which of the following is NOT a standard precaution?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Gloves
C. Gown
D. N95 respirator for all patients
(STR) EXAMINATION 350 MULTIPLECHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 130)
1. What is the primary purpose of sterilization in Central Service?
A. Cosmetic cleanliness
B. Elimination of all microorganisms, including spores
C. Removal of only visible dirt
D. Preservation of instruments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial
spores, which are the most resistant form of microorganisms. This is the
fundamental goal of sterilization in healthcare settings.
2. Which of the following is the smallest infectious agent?
A. Bacteria
B. Fungus
C. Virus
D. Protozoa
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Viruses are the smallest infectious agents, ranging from 20300
nanometers. They require a host cell to replicate and cannot survive
independently.
3. Bacterial spores are destroyed by which of the following processes?
A. Disinfection
B. Antisepsis
C. Sterilization
D. Sanitization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Only sterilization can destroy bacterial spores. Disinfection,
antisepsis, and sanitization reduce the number of microorganisms but do not
eliminate spores.
4. What is the term for microorganisms that do not normally reside in the
tissue of an individual?
A. Resident flora
B. Transient flora
C. Pathogenic flora
D. Normal flora
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transient flora are microorganisms that are temporarily present on
the skin and do not normally reside in the tissue of an individual. They are
acquired through contact and can be removed by hand washing.
,5. Which of the following is a Grampositive organism?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus is Grampositive, appearing purple in Gram
stain. E. coli, Pseudomonas, and Neisseria are Gramnegative organisms.
6. The process of removing pathogens from objects to reduce the risk of
infection is called:
A. Sterilization
B. Disinfection
C. Decontamination
D. Sanitization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decontamination is the process of removing or reducing
contamination from instruments and surfaces to make them safe for handling.
It is the first step in the instrument processing cycle.
7. Which type of immunity is acquired through vaccination?
A. Natural active immunity
B. Natural passive immunity
, C. Artificial active immunity
D. Artificial passive immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Artificial active immunity is acquired through vaccination, where
the body produces its own antibodies in response to an antigen. Natural active
immunity occurs after infection; passive immunity involves receiving
antibodies.
8. The time between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of
symptoms is called the:
A. Prodromal period
B. Incubation period
C. Convalescent period
D. Acute period
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incubation period is the time between exposure to a pathogen
and the onset of symptoms. During this time, the pathogen multiplies in the
host.
9. Which of the following is NOT a standard precaution?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Gloves
C. Gown
D. N95 respirator for all patients
