SPD Decontamination – Sterile Processing Department – 2026 – Study and
Practice Guide
Cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Removal of contamination
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ The use of physical & chemical means to remove
pathogens on an item
Decontamination process 2 steps - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Manual and or automated,
mechanical cleaning
2. Application of a thermal/chemical disinfection process
Bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ Microorganisms on a contaminated item
Decontamination area temp & humidity - correct answer ✔✔ 60-65F & 30-60% humidity
Temp & humidity monitored & documented - correct answer ✔✔ Daily
Decontamination area ventilation system should maintain - correct answer ✔✔ Negative air
pressure
Decontamination area should have - correct answer ✔✔ 10 air exchanges per hr
impervious - correct answer ✔✔ Fluid proof
jewelry - correct answer ✔✔ Not worn; can't be easily cleaned & can catch on equipment
,Fingernails - correct answer ✔✔ No more than 1/4 inch long
Acrylic nails - correct answer ✔✔ Prohibited; may support growth of microorganisms &
puncture gloves
Sharps - correct answer ✔✔ Any medical devices that could cut
Sharps should be contained in - correct answer ✔✔ An impervious, leak proof container
Impervious - correct answer ✔✔ Puncture proof
Sharps container should be changed - correct answer ✔✔ At 2/3 full
Needle Logs - correct answer ✔✔ Used to document # of sharps injuries
-how injury occurred
-corrective actions takes to improve procedures
-prevent future injuries
Disposable items should be - correct answer ✔✔ Removed and discarded in appropriate
containers at the point of use
Reusable items should be placed in a - correct answer ✔✔ Container/covered cart
Bins w/ lids
Sterilization containers w/solid bottoms
Disposable impermeable bags
,All transport containers must be cleaned & disinfected - correct answer ✔✔ Between uses;
doesn't require sterilization
Containers & carts should be labeled with - correct answer ✔✔ Biohazard label
Transportation carts/containers must be - correct answer ✔✔ Rigid, covered & have a solid
bottom
Gross soil - correct answer ✔✔ Bones, body organs, etc
NaCl - correct answer ✔✔ Saline
To prevent souls drying on surfaces - correct answer ✔✔ Place moistened towel (not saline)
inside package to maintain humid conditions
Items should be placed in appropriate container & coated w/enzymatic foam/gel
Enzymatic foam/gel - correct answer ✔✔ Adheres to surface of contaminated item; won't
splash/spill during transport
Objective of decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ To make an item safe for reuse; to prevent
transmission of disease
Before any medical device is cleaned - correct answer ✔✔ Manufacturers written instructions
must be obtained
Manufacturers instructions should include - correct answer ✔✔ Cleaning & disinfecting agents
(type of solution
, Cleaning implements (tools needed)
Methods to be used ( how to clean devices)
1st & most important step in decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ Cleaning, followed by
thorough rinsing
Pyrogens - correct answer ✔✔ Fever producing substances; dead microorganisms left behind on
medical devices after sterilization
New instruments, individual instruments, & sets theatre opened but unused must be - correct
answer ✔✔ Cleaned
Won't compensate for poor cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Disinfection &/ sterilization
Basic steps in cleaning process - correct answer ✔✔ Sorting
Disposing if single use items
Prerinsing/presoaking reusable items
Washing
Rinsing w/treated water
Drying
treated water - correct answer ✔✔ Distilled, deionized, reverse osmosis
To facilitate cleaning process, items should be - correct answer ✔✔ Sorted according to type of
item being processed and method of cleaning to be used
Practice Guide
Cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Removal of contamination
Decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ The use of physical & chemical means to remove
pathogens on an item
Decontamination process 2 steps - correct answer ✔✔ 1. Manual and or automated,
mechanical cleaning
2. Application of a thermal/chemical disinfection process
Bioburden - correct answer ✔✔ Microorganisms on a contaminated item
Decontamination area temp & humidity - correct answer ✔✔ 60-65F & 30-60% humidity
Temp & humidity monitored & documented - correct answer ✔✔ Daily
Decontamination area ventilation system should maintain - correct answer ✔✔ Negative air
pressure
Decontamination area should have - correct answer ✔✔ 10 air exchanges per hr
impervious - correct answer ✔✔ Fluid proof
jewelry - correct answer ✔✔ Not worn; can't be easily cleaned & can catch on equipment
,Fingernails - correct answer ✔✔ No more than 1/4 inch long
Acrylic nails - correct answer ✔✔ Prohibited; may support growth of microorganisms &
puncture gloves
Sharps - correct answer ✔✔ Any medical devices that could cut
Sharps should be contained in - correct answer ✔✔ An impervious, leak proof container
Impervious - correct answer ✔✔ Puncture proof
Sharps container should be changed - correct answer ✔✔ At 2/3 full
Needle Logs - correct answer ✔✔ Used to document # of sharps injuries
-how injury occurred
-corrective actions takes to improve procedures
-prevent future injuries
Disposable items should be - correct answer ✔✔ Removed and discarded in appropriate
containers at the point of use
Reusable items should be placed in a - correct answer ✔✔ Container/covered cart
Bins w/ lids
Sterilization containers w/solid bottoms
Disposable impermeable bags
,All transport containers must be cleaned & disinfected - correct answer ✔✔ Between uses;
doesn't require sterilization
Containers & carts should be labeled with - correct answer ✔✔ Biohazard label
Transportation carts/containers must be - correct answer ✔✔ Rigid, covered & have a solid
bottom
Gross soil - correct answer ✔✔ Bones, body organs, etc
NaCl - correct answer ✔✔ Saline
To prevent souls drying on surfaces - correct answer ✔✔ Place moistened towel (not saline)
inside package to maintain humid conditions
Items should be placed in appropriate container & coated w/enzymatic foam/gel
Enzymatic foam/gel - correct answer ✔✔ Adheres to surface of contaminated item; won't
splash/spill during transport
Objective of decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ To make an item safe for reuse; to prevent
transmission of disease
Before any medical device is cleaned - correct answer ✔✔ Manufacturers written instructions
must be obtained
Manufacturers instructions should include - correct answer ✔✔ Cleaning & disinfecting agents
(type of solution
, Cleaning implements (tools needed)
Methods to be used ( how to clean devices)
1st & most important step in decontamination - correct answer ✔✔ Cleaning, followed by
thorough rinsing
Pyrogens - correct answer ✔✔ Fever producing substances; dead microorganisms left behind on
medical devices after sterilization
New instruments, individual instruments, & sets theatre opened but unused must be - correct
answer ✔✔ Cleaned
Won't compensate for poor cleaning - correct answer ✔✔ Disinfection &/ sterilization
Basic steps in cleaning process - correct answer ✔✔ Sorting
Disposing if single use items
Prerinsing/presoaking reusable items
Washing
Rinsing w/treated water
Drying
treated water - correct answer ✔✔ Distilled, deionized, reverse osmosis
To facilitate cleaning process, items should be - correct answer ✔✔ Sorted according to type of
item being processed and method of cleaning to be used
