Sterile Processing Board Exam 2026/2027
– Official Sterile Processing Certification
Board – Verified Questions & Answers for
Aspiring Sterile Processing Technicians
1. What is the primary goal of the decontamination process?
A. To sterilize surgical instruments
B. To remove all visible and microscopic bioburden from instruments
C. To package instruments for surgery
D. To lubricate surgical instruments
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of decontamination is to remove all visible and microscopic
bioburden (blood, tissue, and other contaminants). This is essential because organic and
inorganic soils can shield microorganisms from the sterilization process, making it
ineffective.
2. What is the minimum temperature required for the decontamination area
according to AAMI standards?
A. 55°F (13°C)
B. 60°F (16°C)
C. 65°F (18°C)
D. 70°F (21°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: AAMI standards require the decontamination area to be maintained at a
,minimum of 60°F (16°C) to reduce bacterial growth and provide a comfortable
environment for staff wearing heavy PPE.
3. What is the maximum recommended temperature for the decontamination
area?
A. 65°F (18°C)
B. 68°F (20°C)
C. 72°F (22°C)
D. 75°F (24°C)
Answer: A
Rationale: The decontamination area should not exceed 65°F (18°C) to minimize
bacterial growth and maintain staff comfort while wearing heavy PPE.
4. What type of air pressure should be maintained in the decontamination area?
A. Positive air pressure
B. Negative air pressure
C. Neutral air pressure
D. Alternating air pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative air pressure prevents contaminated air from flowing into adjacent
clean areas, containing potential pathogens within the decontamination zone.
5. What is the minimum number of air exchanges required per hour in the
decontamination area?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
Answer: C
Rationale: AAMI standards require a minimum of 10 air exchanges per hour in the
,decontamination area to effectively remove airborne contaminants and maintain safe air
quality.
6. What is the primary purpose of using an enzymatic detergent?
A. To remove rust from instruments
B. To break down organic matter (blood, protein, fat) on instruments
C. To lubricate instrument hinges
D. To remove tape residue
Answer: B
Rationale: Enzymatic detergents contain proteases, lipases, and amylases specifically
designed to break down organic bioburden, including blood, protein, and fat.
7. Instruments should be cleaned:
A. After sterilization
B. As soon as possible after use
C. Only at the end of the shift
D. After inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil becomes harder to remove if allowed to dry. Therefore, instruments
should be cleaned as soon as possible after use.
8. Enzymatic detergents work best in:
A. Hot water
B. Cold water
C. Warm water
D. Boiling water
Answer: C
Rationale: Enzymes are most effective in warm water.
, 9. The most important step in the instrument reprocessing cycle is:
A. Sterilization
B. Packaging
C. Cleaning
D. Storage
Answer: C
Rationale: Cleaning is the most important step because sterilization cannot be effective
if bioburden is not removed first.
10. Which of the following generally describes the correct sequence for traffic
workflow in areas where medical devices are processed?
A. Decontamination, Assembly, Sterilization, Packaging, Sterile Storage
B. Assembly, Decontamination, Packaging, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
C. Decontamination, Assembly, Packaging, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
D. Packaging, Decontamination, Assembly, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct workflow is a one-way flow from dirty to clean: Decontamination
→ Assembly → Packaging → Sterilization → Sterile Storage.
11. The major reason why acrylic nails are not permitted to be worn in the sterile
processing department is because they can:
A. Scratch surgical instruments
B. Tear sterile gloves
C. Allow fungus to grow beneath them
D. Be a distraction
Answer: C
Rationale: Acrylic nails can harbor fungus and bacteria underneath them, which can
contaminate the sterile field and instruments.
– Official Sterile Processing Certification
Board – Verified Questions & Answers for
Aspiring Sterile Processing Technicians
1. What is the primary goal of the decontamination process?
A. To sterilize surgical instruments
B. To remove all visible and microscopic bioburden from instruments
C. To package instruments for surgery
D. To lubricate surgical instruments
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of decontamination is to remove all visible and microscopic
bioburden (blood, tissue, and other contaminants). This is essential because organic and
inorganic soils can shield microorganisms from the sterilization process, making it
ineffective.
2. What is the minimum temperature required for the decontamination area
according to AAMI standards?
A. 55°F (13°C)
B. 60°F (16°C)
C. 65°F (18°C)
D. 70°F (21°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: AAMI standards require the decontamination area to be maintained at a
,minimum of 60°F (16°C) to reduce bacterial growth and provide a comfortable
environment for staff wearing heavy PPE.
3. What is the maximum recommended temperature for the decontamination
area?
A. 65°F (18°C)
B. 68°F (20°C)
C. 72°F (22°C)
D. 75°F (24°C)
Answer: A
Rationale: The decontamination area should not exceed 65°F (18°C) to minimize
bacterial growth and maintain staff comfort while wearing heavy PPE.
4. What type of air pressure should be maintained in the decontamination area?
A. Positive air pressure
B. Negative air pressure
C. Neutral air pressure
D. Alternating air pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative air pressure prevents contaminated air from flowing into adjacent
clean areas, containing potential pathogens within the decontamination zone.
5. What is the minimum number of air exchanges required per hour in the
decontamination area?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
Answer: C
Rationale: AAMI standards require a minimum of 10 air exchanges per hour in the
,decontamination area to effectively remove airborne contaminants and maintain safe air
quality.
6. What is the primary purpose of using an enzymatic detergent?
A. To remove rust from instruments
B. To break down organic matter (blood, protein, fat) on instruments
C. To lubricate instrument hinges
D. To remove tape residue
Answer: B
Rationale: Enzymatic detergents contain proteases, lipases, and amylases specifically
designed to break down organic bioburden, including blood, protein, and fat.
7. Instruments should be cleaned:
A. After sterilization
B. As soon as possible after use
C. Only at the end of the shift
D. After inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Soil becomes harder to remove if allowed to dry. Therefore, instruments
should be cleaned as soon as possible after use.
8. Enzymatic detergents work best in:
A. Hot water
B. Cold water
C. Warm water
D. Boiling water
Answer: C
Rationale: Enzymes are most effective in warm water.
, 9. The most important step in the instrument reprocessing cycle is:
A. Sterilization
B. Packaging
C. Cleaning
D. Storage
Answer: C
Rationale: Cleaning is the most important step because sterilization cannot be effective
if bioburden is not removed first.
10. Which of the following generally describes the correct sequence for traffic
workflow in areas where medical devices are processed?
A. Decontamination, Assembly, Sterilization, Packaging, Sterile Storage
B. Assembly, Decontamination, Packaging, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
C. Decontamination, Assembly, Packaging, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
D. Packaging, Decontamination, Assembly, Sterilization, Sterile Storage
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct workflow is a one-way flow from dirty to clean: Decontamination
→ Assembly → Packaging → Sterilization → Sterile Storage.
11. The major reason why acrylic nails are not permitted to be worn in the sterile
processing department is because they can:
A. Scratch surgical instruments
B. Tear sterile gloves
C. Allow fungus to grow beneath them
D. Be a distraction
Answer: C
Rationale: Acrylic nails can harbor fungus and bacteria underneath them, which can
contaminate the sterile field and instruments.
