Sterile Processing Board Exam (CRCST/CBSPD)
(2026/2027) Comprehensive Practice
Examination Sterile Processing and
Instrumentation
Instructions: This 200-question examination is designed to prepare
candidates for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
and Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CBSPD)
certification exams.
Question 1: Which organization publishes the "Standards for Sterilization"
and provides comprehensive guidelines for sterile processing departments?
• A. OSHA
• B. CDC
• C. AAMI
• D. FDA
Rationale: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
(AAMI) publishes comprehensive standards for sterilization and sterile
processing, including the ANSI/AAMI ST series. OSHA focuses on workplace
safety, CDC on infection control, and FDA on device regulation.
Question 2: What does the acronym AORN represent?
• A. Association of Operating Room Technicians
• B. American Organization of Registered Nurses
• C. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
• D. Association of Operative Registered Nurses
,Rationale: AORN is the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses,
which publishes guidelines and standards for perioperative nursing practice,
including sterile technique and surgical instruments.
Question 3: The FDA classifies medical devices into which three categories
based on risk?
• A. Low, medium, high
• B. Class I, Class II, Class III
• C. Type A, Type B, Type C
• D. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Rationale: The FDA classifies devices as Class I (lowest risk, general controls),
Class II (moderate risk, special controls), and Class III (highest risk, premarket
approval required). This classification determines regulatory requirements.
Question 4: Which federal agency requires that all sterilizers be validated for
efficacy?
• A. CDC
• B. OSHA
• C. EPA
• D. FDA
Rationale: The FDA requires validation of sterilizers and sterilization
processes for medical devices to ensure they achieve the claimed sterility
assurance level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶.
Question 5: What is the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard primarily
designed to protect?
• A. Patients from infection
• B. Healthcare workers from occupational exposure
, • C. Medical devices from contamination
• D. The environment from hazardous waste
Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
protects healthcare workers from occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens through requirements for engineering controls, work practices,
and personal protective equipment.
Question 6: Which document provides the most current CDC guidelines for
disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities?
• A. OSHA Technical Manual
• B. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare
Facilities
• C. AAMI ST79
• D. ISO 13485
Rationale: The CDC's "Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in
Healthcare Facilities" provides evidence-based recommendations for
disinfection and sterilization practices, updated periodically to reflect current
scientific knowledge.
Question 7: What does the acronym TJC stand for?
• A. The Joint Committee
• B. The Judicial Commission
• C. The Joint Commission
• D. The Jurisdictional Commission
Rationale: The Joint Commission (TJC) is a non-profit organization that
accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States,
evaluating compliance with standards related to patient safety and quality of
care.
, Question 8: Which standard covers the processing of reusable surgical
instruments in healthcare facilities?
• A. ANSI/AAMI ST8
• B. ANSI/AAMI ST79
• C. ANSI/AAMI ST41
• D. ANSI/AAMI ST72
Rationale: ANSI/AAMI ST79 is the comprehensive standard for
"Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health
care facilities," covering all aspects of processing reusable medical devices.
Question 9: The Spaulding Classification System categorizes patient care
items based on:
• A. Cost of the device
• B. Manufacturer recommendations
• C. Risk of infection upon use
• D. Frequency of use
Rationale: The Spaulding Classification categorizes devices as critical (enters
sterile tissue), semi-critical (contacts mucous membranes), and non-critical
(contacts intact skin) based on the infection risk they pose to patients.
Question 10: What is the primary purpose of the FDA's 510(k) clearance
process?
• A. To approve new drugs
• B. To demonstrate that a new device is substantially equivalent to a
legally marketed device
• C. To certify sterilization processes
• D. To inspect healthcare facilities
(2026/2027) Comprehensive Practice
Examination Sterile Processing and
Instrumentation
Instructions: This 200-question examination is designed to prepare
candidates for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
and Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CBSPD)
certification exams.
Question 1: Which organization publishes the "Standards for Sterilization"
and provides comprehensive guidelines for sterile processing departments?
• A. OSHA
• B. CDC
• C. AAMI
• D. FDA
Rationale: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
(AAMI) publishes comprehensive standards for sterilization and sterile
processing, including the ANSI/AAMI ST series. OSHA focuses on workplace
safety, CDC on infection control, and FDA on device regulation.
Question 2: What does the acronym AORN represent?
• A. Association of Operating Room Technicians
• B. American Organization of Registered Nurses
• C. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
• D. Association of Operative Registered Nurses
,Rationale: AORN is the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses,
which publishes guidelines and standards for perioperative nursing practice,
including sterile technique and surgical instruments.
Question 3: The FDA classifies medical devices into which three categories
based on risk?
• A. Low, medium, high
• B. Class I, Class II, Class III
• C. Type A, Type B, Type C
• D. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Rationale: The FDA classifies devices as Class I (lowest risk, general controls),
Class II (moderate risk, special controls), and Class III (highest risk, premarket
approval required). This classification determines regulatory requirements.
Question 4: Which federal agency requires that all sterilizers be validated for
efficacy?
• A. CDC
• B. OSHA
• C. EPA
• D. FDA
Rationale: The FDA requires validation of sterilizers and sterilization
processes for medical devices to ensure they achieve the claimed sterility
assurance level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶.
Question 5: What is the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard primarily
designed to protect?
• A. Patients from infection
• B. Healthcare workers from occupational exposure
, • C. Medical devices from contamination
• D. The environment from hazardous waste
Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
protects healthcare workers from occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens through requirements for engineering controls, work practices,
and personal protective equipment.
Question 6: Which document provides the most current CDC guidelines for
disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities?
• A. OSHA Technical Manual
• B. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare
Facilities
• C. AAMI ST79
• D. ISO 13485
Rationale: The CDC's "Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in
Healthcare Facilities" provides evidence-based recommendations for
disinfection and sterilization practices, updated periodically to reflect current
scientific knowledge.
Question 7: What does the acronym TJC stand for?
• A. The Joint Committee
• B. The Judicial Commission
• C. The Joint Commission
• D. The Jurisdictional Commission
Rationale: The Joint Commission (TJC) is a non-profit organization that
accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States,
evaluating compliance with standards related to patient safety and quality of
care.
, Question 8: Which standard covers the processing of reusable surgical
instruments in healthcare facilities?
• A. ANSI/AAMI ST8
• B. ANSI/AAMI ST79
• C. ANSI/AAMI ST41
• D. ANSI/AAMI ST72
Rationale: ANSI/AAMI ST79 is the comprehensive standard for
"Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health
care facilities," covering all aspects of processing reusable medical devices.
Question 9: The Spaulding Classification System categorizes patient care
items based on:
• A. Cost of the device
• B. Manufacturer recommendations
• C. Risk of infection upon use
• D. Frequency of use
Rationale: The Spaulding Classification categorizes devices as critical (enters
sterile tissue), semi-critical (contacts mucous membranes), and non-critical
(contacts intact skin) based on the infection risk they pose to patients.
Question 10: What is the primary purpose of the FDA's 510(k) clearance
process?
• A. To approve new drugs
• B. To demonstrate that a new device is substantially equivalent to a
legally marketed device
• C. To certify sterilization processes
• D. To inspect healthcare facilities
