Sterile Processing Technician Certification
Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Comprehensive Review of All Major Subjects: Decontamination, Sterilization,
Infection Control, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Regulations
1. What is the primary goal of the sterile processing department (SPD)?
a) To reduce hospital costs
b) To ensure all surgical instruments are sterile and safe for use
c) To maintain patient records
d) To diagnose infections
Answer: b) To ensure all surgical instruments are sterile and safe for
use
Rationale: The SPD’s main function is to clean, disinfect, and sterilize
medical instruments to prevent patient infections.
,2. Which of the following areas in the SPD is considered the dirtiest?
a) Prep and pack area
b) Decontamination area
c) Sterile storage area
d) Distribution area
Answer: b) Decontamination area
Rationale: The decontamination area handles soiled instruments and
is designed as the “dirty” side of the SPD.
3. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in the
decontamination area?
a) Surgical mask only
b) Hair cover and gloves only
c) Fluid-resistant gown, face shield, gloves, and shoe covers
d) Clean scrub suit only
Answer: c) Fluid-resistant gown, face shield, gloves, and shoe covers
Rationale: Full PPE protects workers from exposure to biohazardous
materials during cleaning.
4. Which type of water should be used for the final rinse of instruments
during manual cleaning?
a) Tap water
b) Distilled or deionized water
c) Hot water
d) Sterile saline
, Answer: b) Distilled or deionized water
Rationale: Distilled or deionized water prevents spotting and residue
that could interfere with sterilization.
5. What is the purpose of enzymatic cleaners in the decontamination
process?
a) To disinfect instruments
b) To sterilize instruments
c) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue
d) To lubricate instruments
Answer: c) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue
Rationale: Enzymatic cleaners contain enzymes that digest proteins
and organic soils from instruments.
6. What should be done if a powered surgical instrument is found
submerged in water?
a) Continue using it
b) Air dry it and reuse
c) Send it for biomedical evaluation
d) Wipe it with alcohol and return to storage
Answer: c) Send it for biomedical evaluation
Rationale: Powered instruments contain electrical components that
can be damaged by moisture.
7. Which of the following sterilization methods uses ethylene oxide gas?
a) Gravity displacement
, b) Steam sterilization
c) Gas sterilization
d) Dry heat sterilization
Answer: c) Gas sterilization
Rationale: Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is used for heat- and
moisture-sensitive instruments.
8. The most common temperature for steam sterilization in a gravity
displacement cycle is:
a) 212°F (100°C)
b) 250°F (121°C)
c) 270°F (132°C)
d) 300°F (149°C)
Answer: b) 250°F (121°C)
Rationale: Standard gravity steam sterilization runs at 250°F for 30
minutes.
9. What should be done if a chemical indicator inside a pack fails to
change color after sterilization?
a) Use the pack
b) Resterilize the pack
c) Ignore it if the external indicator changed
d) Store the pack separately
Answer: b) Resterilize the pack
Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Comprehensive Review of All Major Subjects: Decontamination, Sterilization,
Infection Control, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Regulations
1. What is the primary goal of the sterile processing department (SPD)?
a) To reduce hospital costs
b) To ensure all surgical instruments are sterile and safe for use
c) To maintain patient records
d) To diagnose infections
Answer: b) To ensure all surgical instruments are sterile and safe for
use
Rationale: The SPD’s main function is to clean, disinfect, and sterilize
medical instruments to prevent patient infections.
,2. Which of the following areas in the SPD is considered the dirtiest?
a) Prep and pack area
b) Decontamination area
c) Sterile storage area
d) Distribution area
Answer: b) Decontamination area
Rationale: The decontamination area handles soiled instruments and
is designed as the “dirty” side of the SPD.
3. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in the
decontamination area?
a) Surgical mask only
b) Hair cover and gloves only
c) Fluid-resistant gown, face shield, gloves, and shoe covers
d) Clean scrub suit only
Answer: c) Fluid-resistant gown, face shield, gloves, and shoe covers
Rationale: Full PPE protects workers from exposure to biohazardous
materials during cleaning.
4. Which type of water should be used for the final rinse of instruments
during manual cleaning?
a) Tap water
b) Distilled or deionized water
c) Hot water
d) Sterile saline
, Answer: b) Distilled or deionized water
Rationale: Distilled or deionized water prevents spotting and residue
that could interfere with sterilization.
5. What is the purpose of enzymatic cleaners in the decontamination
process?
a) To disinfect instruments
b) To sterilize instruments
c) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue
d) To lubricate instruments
Answer: c) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue
Rationale: Enzymatic cleaners contain enzymes that digest proteins
and organic soils from instruments.
6. What should be done if a powered surgical instrument is found
submerged in water?
a) Continue using it
b) Air dry it and reuse
c) Send it for biomedical evaluation
d) Wipe it with alcohol and return to storage
Answer: c) Send it for biomedical evaluation
Rationale: Powered instruments contain electrical components that
can be damaged by moisture.
7. Which of the following sterilization methods uses ethylene oxide gas?
a) Gravity displacement
, b) Steam sterilization
c) Gas sterilization
d) Dry heat sterilization
Answer: c) Gas sterilization
Rationale: Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is used for heat- and
moisture-sensitive instruments.
8. The most common temperature for steam sterilization in a gravity
displacement cycle is:
a) 212°F (100°C)
b) 250°F (121°C)
c) 270°F (132°C)
d) 300°F (149°C)
Answer: b) 250°F (121°C)
Rationale: Standard gravity steam sterilization runs at 250°F for 30
minutes.
9. What should be done if a chemical indicator inside a pack fails to
change color after sterilization?
a) Use the pack
b) Resterilize the pack
c) Ignore it if the external indicator changed
d) Store the pack separately
Answer: b) Resterilize the pack
