Sterile Processing Technician (CSPDT) Certification Exam 2025–2026 |
200 Real Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations |
Comprehensive Practice Test Covering Decontamination, Instrument
Cleaning, Sterilization Methods, Infection Control, Quality Assurance &
Central Sterile Operations
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of sterilization in sterile processing?
• A) To clean instruments
• B) To eliminate all microbial life
• C) To decontaminate surfaces
• D) To inspect tools
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To eliminate all microbial life
Rationale: The primary purpose of sterilization is to eliminate all forms of microbial life,
including bacteria, viruses, and spores, to ensure patient safety.
Question 2: Which of the following is a common method of sterilization used in
healthcare settings?
• A) Chemical disinfection
• B) Steam under pressure
• C) Ultrasonic cleaning
• D) Drying
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Steam under pressure
Rationale: Steam under pressure, or autoclaving, is a common and effective method of
sterilization used because it can reliably kill all microorganisms.
Question 3: In what order should items be processed in the sterile processing
department (SPD)?
• A) Decontamination, preparation, sterilization
• B) Preparation, sterilization, decontamination
• C) Sterilization, decontamination, preparation
• D) Decontamination, sterilization, preparation
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Decontamination, preparation, sterilization
Rationale: The correct order ensures that instruments are properly cleaned and
prepared for sterilization, minimizing the risk of contamination.
,Question 4: What is the recommended minimum time for an item to remain in a
steam sterilizer at 121°C (250°F)?
• A) 10 minutes
• B) 30 minutes
• C) 15 minutes
• D) 25 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 15 minutes
Rationale: The minimum time for effective steam sterilization at 121°C is 15 minutes,
ensuring adequate microbial kill.
Question 5: Which of the following is a critical step in ensuring sterility after
reprocessing instruments?
• A) Correctly loading the sterilizer
• B) Inspecting for visible soil
• C) Tracking expiration dates
• D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D) All of the above
Rationale: All these steps contribute to ensuring the sterility and safety of instruments
after reprocessing.
Question 6: What should be the minimum concentration of ethylene oxide for
effective sterilization?
• A) 300 mg/L
• B) 600 mg/L
• C) 1200 mg/L
• D) 2400 mg/L
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 600 mg/L
Rationale: A minimum concentration of 600 mg/L of ethylene oxide is needed for
effective sterilization.
Question 7: Which type of packaging material is most suitable for steam
sterilization?
, • A) Plastic wrap
• B) Paper
• C) Muslin
• D) Foil
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Muslin
Rationale: Muslin is breathable and allows steam to penetrate, making it suitable for
steam sterilization.
Question 8: Which instrument requires special care when sterilized due to its
intricate mechanisms?
• A) Scissors
• B) Forceps
• C) Endoscopes
• D) Scalpel
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Endoscopes
Rationale: Endoscopes have delicate components that require special handling and
sterilization methods to maintain their functionality.
Question 9: What does the term "Biological Indicator" refer to?
• A) A type of cleaning solution
• B) A test for contamination
• C) A spore test to verify sterilization
• D) A tracking system for instruments
CORRECT ANSWER: C) A spore test to verify sterilization
Rationale: Biological indicators contain spores that are resistant to sterilization
processes and are used to confirm that sterilization has been effective.
Question 10: What is the primary cleaning agent used in the ultrasonic cleaner?
• A) Alcohol
• B) Detergent
• C) Bleach
, • D) Hydrogen peroxide
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Detergent
Rationale: Detergent is used in ultrasonic cleaners to help dislodge debris from
instruments during the cleaning process.
Question 11: Which organization sets the standards for sterilization practices in the
United States?
• A) CDC
• B) FDA
• C) AAMI
• D) OSHA
CORRECT ANSWER: C) AAMI
Rationale: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
sets the standards for sterilization practices in the U.S.
Question 12: What type of sterilizer uses high-pressure steam?
• A) Chemical vapor sterilizer
• B) Ethylene oxide sterilizer
• C) Autoclave
• D) Dry heat sterilizer
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Autoclave
Rationale: An autoclave uses high-pressure steam for sterilization, allowing for
effective microbial kill.
Question 13: What is the purpose of a "load control record"?
• A) To track employee hours
• B) To confirm instrument usage
• C) To monitor sterilization parameters
• D) To catalog inventory
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To monitor sterilization parameters
200 Real Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations |
Comprehensive Practice Test Covering Decontamination, Instrument
Cleaning, Sterilization Methods, Infection Control, Quality Assurance &
Central Sterile Operations
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of sterilization in sterile processing?
• A) To clean instruments
• B) To eliminate all microbial life
• C) To decontaminate surfaces
• D) To inspect tools
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To eliminate all microbial life
Rationale: The primary purpose of sterilization is to eliminate all forms of microbial life,
including bacteria, viruses, and spores, to ensure patient safety.
Question 2: Which of the following is a common method of sterilization used in
healthcare settings?
• A) Chemical disinfection
• B) Steam under pressure
• C) Ultrasonic cleaning
• D) Drying
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Steam under pressure
Rationale: Steam under pressure, or autoclaving, is a common and effective method of
sterilization used because it can reliably kill all microorganisms.
Question 3: In what order should items be processed in the sterile processing
department (SPD)?
• A) Decontamination, preparation, sterilization
• B) Preparation, sterilization, decontamination
• C) Sterilization, decontamination, preparation
• D) Decontamination, sterilization, preparation
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Decontamination, preparation, sterilization
Rationale: The correct order ensures that instruments are properly cleaned and
prepared for sterilization, minimizing the risk of contamination.
,Question 4: What is the recommended minimum time for an item to remain in a
steam sterilizer at 121°C (250°F)?
• A) 10 minutes
• B) 30 minutes
• C) 15 minutes
• D) 25 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 15 minutes
Rationale: The minimum time for effective steam sterilization at 121°C is 15 minutes,
ensuring adequate microbial kill.
Question 5: Which of the following is a critical step in ensuring sterility after
reprocessing instruments?
• A) Correctly loading the sterilizer
• B) Inspecting for visible soil
• C) Tracking expiration dates
• D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D) All of the above
Rationale: All these steps contribute to ensuring the sterility and safety of instruments
after reprocessing.
Question 6: What should be the minimum concentration of ethylene oxide for
effective sterilization?
• A) 300 mg/L
• B) 600 mg/L
• C) 1200 mg/L
• D) 2400 mg/L
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 600 mg/L
Rationale: A minimum concentration of 600 mg/L of ethylene oxide is needed for
effective sterilization.
Question 7: Which type of packaging material is most suitable for steam
sterilization?
, • A) Plastic wrap
• B) Paper
• C) Muslin
• D) Foil
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Muslin
Rationale: Muslin is breathable and allows steam to penetrate, making it suitable for
steam sterilization.
Question 8: Which instrument requires special care when sterilized due to its
intricate mechanisms?
• A) Scissors
• B) Forceps
• C) Endoscopes
• D) Scalpel
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Endoscopes
Rationale: Endoscopes have delicate components that require special handling and
sterilization methods to maintain their functionality.
Question 9: What does the term "Biological Indicator" refer to?
• A) A type of cleaning solution
• B) A test for contamination
• C) A spore test to verify sterilization
• D) A tracking system for instruments
CORRECT ANSWER: C) A spore test to verify sterilization
Rationale: Biological indicators contain spores that are resistant to sterilization
processes and are used to confirm that sterilization has been effective.
Question 10: What is the primary cleaning agent used in the ultrasonic cleaner?
• A) Alcohol
• B) Detergent
• C) Bleach
, • D) Hydrogen peroxide
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Detergent
Rationale: Detergent is used in ultrasonic cleaners to help dislodge debris from
instruments during the cleaning process.
Question 11: Which organization sets the standards for sterilization practices in the
United States?
• A) CDC
• B) FDA
• C) AAMI
• D) OSHA
CORRECT ANSWER: C) AAMI
Rationale: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
sets the standards for sterilization practices in the U.S.
Question 12: What type of sterilizer uses high-pressure steam?
• A) Chemical vapor sterilizer
• B) Ethylene oxide sterilizer
• C) Autoclave
• D) Dry heat sterilizer
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Autoclave
Rationale: An autoclave uses high-pressure steam for sterilization, allowing for
effective microbial kill.
Question 13: What is the purpose of a "load control record"?
• A) To track employee hours
• B) To confirm instrument usage
• C) To monitor sterilization parameters
• D) To catalog inventory
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To monitor sterilization parameters
