MN 551 EXAMS TEST PAPER 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔Screen Strainer in Steam Sterilizer - ✔✔should be removed, checked, and cleaned
daily
✔✔Validation - ✔✔procedures used by equipment manufacturers to obtain, record, and
interpret test results required to establish that a process consistently produces a sterile
product
✔✔Biomedical Technicians - ✔✔specifically trained to test, inspect, and repair patient
care equipment
✔✔Ergonomics Program - ✔✔primary goal is to reduce work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs)
✔✔Halo Effect - ✔✔communication roadblock that occurs when a person is favored
because of a quality found to be attractive/valuable
✔✔Cross-Functional Team - ✔✔group of employees from different departments within
the healthcare facility that work together to resolve operating problems
✔✔Service Recovery - ✔✔sequence of steps used to address customer complaints and
problems that yields a win-win situation
✔✔Accreditation - ✔✔voluntary process by which an organization measures its
performance and services against nationally recognized standards
✔✔Ambulatory Surgery Center - ✔✔healthcare facility that allows patients to have
selected surgical procedures performed that do not require hospitalization
✔✔Wet Pack - ✔✔containers with moisture (inadequate drying) after sterilization
process completed
✔✔Most Common Disposable Packaging Materials - ✔✔paper, polyolefin plastic, and
disposable nonwoven wraps
✔✔Papers - ✔✔cannot contain cellulose if/when used in gas plasma sterilizers because
cellulose absorbs the sterilant and reduces penetration
✔✔Kraft-Type Papers - ✔✔medical grade paper packaging material used for many
sterilization applications (ex: paper pouches); generally smooth-surfaced
,✔✔SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) - ✔✔non-woven packaging material; the
most popular flat wrap (blue wrap)
✔✔2 Types of Peel Pouches - ✔✔paper/plastic combinations which are typically
acceptable in steam and ethylene oxide sterilization processes, and spunbond
polyolefin-plastic combinations for use in gas plasma sterilization (polyolefin contains no
cellulose)
✔✔Double Pouches - ✔✔never fold the inner pouch; "paper side to paper side and
plastic side to plastic side"
✔✔Positioning of Peel Pouches in Sterilizer - ✔✔positioned in sterilizer standing on
edge in loading racks OR placed in baskets specifically designed for these packages,
arranged paper-to-plastic
✔✔Simultaneous - ✔✔method of wrapping where the package is only wrapped once,
but requires a special double-layered synthetic non-woven material bound on 2 or 4
sides
✔✔Square Fold - ✔✔also called in-line or parallel fold; most frequently used for larger
packs and instrument trays
✔✔Envelope Fold - ✔✔more commonly used for small packs, most instrument sets, and
individual items
✔✔Maximum Sterile Package Weight - ✔✔manufacturers generally recommend a max
of 16 lbs. while ANSI/AAMI ST77 recommends a max of 25 lbs. for containerized sets
✔✔Conditions Prior to Sterilization - ✔✔all packaging materials should be held at room
temp (67-72 deg F) and a relative humidity from 35-70% for a minimum of 2 hours prior
to sterilization
✔✔Types of Flash Sterilization Cycles - ✔✔gravity displacement, pre-vacuum, or
Express
✔✔Phases of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔1. Conditioning
2. Exposure
3. Exhaust and/or Drying
✔✔Conditioning Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔steam enters chamber as air is
removed via the drain; pressure increases as chamber reaches sterilizing temperature
✔✔Exposure Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔begins when thermocouple senses the
constant pre-set cycle temperature
, ✔✔Exhaust Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔filtered air enters, steam is removed from
chamber, and pressure inside returns to atm
✔✔Drying Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔typically 1 min of drying time programmed
into flash cycles--removes steam from chamber but doesn't dry device completely
✔✔Gravity Displacement Flash Sterilization - ✔✔uses gravity in condition and exhaust
phases to displace the air and replace it with steam; cycle length does not typically
include drying time
✔✔Flash Sterilization of a Single, Metal, Non-Lumened Instrument - ✔✔3 minute cycle
at 270 deg F
✔✔Flash Sterilization of Complex/Lumened, Mixed Material, and/or Multiple Instruments
- ✔✔10 minute cycle at 270 deg F
✔✔Pre-Vacuum Flash Sterilization - ✔✔in condition and exhuast phases, air and steam
are mechanically injected and removed; standard sterilization cycle with a limited drying
time
✔✔Express Flash Sterilization - ✔✔limited application--should only be used for simple,
all-metal, non-porous, non-lumened instruments that are not constructed of mixed
materials; reusable/disposable single-layer wrap is the only recommended packaging
✔✔Class 5 [Chemical] Integrators - ✔✔monitor all critical parameters of sterilization
cycle: time, temperature, presence of steam (moisture), and correlation to outcome of
biological indicator
✔✔Frequency of Biological Test - ✔✔AAMI recommends it be done at least weekly--
preferably every day the sterilizer is used
✔✔Biological Testing - ✔✔every type of tray/pack should be tested individually and
routinely in each type of cycle used, for the shortest exposure time allowed based on
combination
✔✔Positive Test BI - ✔✔indicates positive bacterial growth and a failing result
✔✔Control BI - ✔✔an unsterilized/processed spore strip; when incubated with
processed BIs, should always be positive. confirms spores on indicators were alive and
viable for testing
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔Screen Strainer in Steam Sterilizer - ✔✔should be removed, checked, and cleaned
daily
✔✔Validation - ✔✔procedures used by equipment manufacturers to obtain, record, and
interpret test results required to establish that a process consistently produces a sterile
product
✔✔Biomedical Technicians - ✔✔specifically trained to test, inspect, and repair patient
care equipment
✔✔Ergonomics Program - ✔✔primary goal is to reduce work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs)
✔✔Halo Effect - ✔✔communication roadblock that occurs when a person is favored
because of a quality found to be attractive/valuable
✔✔Cross-Functional Team - ✔✔group of employees from different departments within
the healthcare facility that work together to resolve operating problems
✔✔Service Recovery - ✔✔sequence of steps used to address customer complaints and
problems that yields a win-win situation
✔✔Accreditation - ✔✔voluntary process by which an organization measures its
performance and services against nationally recognized standards
✔✔Ambulatory Surgery Center - ✔✔healthcare facility that allows patients to have
selected surgical procedures performed that do not require hospitalization
✔✔Wet Pack - ✔✔containers with moisture (inadequate drying) after sterilization
process completed
✔✔Most Common Disposable Packaging Materials - ✔✔paper, polyolefin plastic, and
disposable nonwoven wraps
✔✔Papers - ✔✔cannot contain cellulose if/when used in gas plasma sterilizers because
cellulose absorbs the sterilant and reduces penetration
✔✔Kraft-Type Papers - ✔✔medical grade paper packaging material used for many
sterilization applications (ex: paper pouches); generally smooth-surfaced
,✔✔SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) - ✔✔non-woven packaging material; the
most popular flat wrap (blue wrap)
✔✔2 Types of Peel Pouches - ✔✔paper/plastic combinations which are typically
acceptable in steam and ethylene oxide sterilization processes, and spunbond
polyolefin-plastic combinations for use in gas plasma sterilization (polyolefin contains no
cellulose)
✔✔Double Pouches - ✔✔never fold the inner pouch; "paper side to paper side and
plastic side to plastic side"
✔✔Positioning of Peel Pouches in Sterilizer - ✔✔positioned in sterilizer standing on
edge in loading racks OR placed in baskets specifically designed for these packages,
arranged paper-to-plastic
✔✔Simultaneous - ✔✔method of wrapping where the package is only wrapped once,
but requires a special double-layered synthetic non-woven material bound on 2 or 4
sides
✔✔Square Fold - ✔✔also called in-line or parallel fold; most frequently used for larger
packs and instrument trays
✔✔Envelope Fold - ✔✔more commonly used for small packs, most instrument sets, and
individual items
✔✔Maximum Sterile Package Weight - ✔✔manufacturers generally recommend a max
of 16 lbs. while ANSI/AAMI ST77 recommends a max of 25 lbs. for containerized sets
✔✔Conditions Prior to Sterilization - ✔✔all packaging materials should be held at room
temp (67-72 deg F) and a relative humidity from 35-70% for a minimum of 2 hours prior
to sterilization
✔✔Types of Flash Sterilization Cycles - ✔✔gravity displacement, pre-vacuum, or
Express
✔✔Phases of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔1. Conditioning
2. Exposure
3. Exhaust and/or Drying
✔✔Conditioning Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔steam enters chamber as air is
removed via the drain; pressure increases as chamber reaches sterilizing temperature
✔✔Exposure Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔begins when thermocouple senses the
constant pre-set cycle temperature
, ✔✔Exhaust Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔filtered air enters, steam is removed from
chamber, and pressure inside returns to atm
✔✔Drying Phase of Steam Sterilization - ✔✔typically 1 min of drying time programmed
into flash cycles--removes steam from chamber but doesn't dry device completely
✔✔Gravity Displacement Flash Sterilization - ✔✔uses gravity in condition and exhaust
phases to displace the air and replace it with steam; cycle length does not typically
include drying time
✔✔Flash Sterilization of a Single, Metal, Non-Lumened Instrument - ✔✔3 minute cycle
at 270 deg F
✔✔Flash Sterilization of Complex/Lumened, Mixed Material, and/or Multiple Instruments
- ✔✔10 minute cycle at 270 deg F
✔✔Pre-Vacuum Flash Sterilization - ✔✔in condition and exhuast phases, air and steam
are mechanically injected and removed; standard sterilization cycle with a limited drying
time
✔✔Express Flash Sterilization - ✔✔limited application--should only be used for simple,
all-metal, non-porous, non-lumened instruments that are not constructed of mixed
materials; reusable/disposable single-layer wrap is the only recommended packaging
✔✔Class 5 [Chemical] Integrators - ✔✔monitor all critical parameters of sterilization
cycle: time, temperature, presence of steam (moisture), and correlation to outcome of
biological indicator
✔✔Frequency of Biological Test - ✔✔AAMI recommends it be done at least weekly--
preferably every day the sterilizer is used
✔✔Biological Testing - ✔✔every type of tray/pack should be tested individually and
routinely in each type of cycle used, for the shortest exposure time allowed based on
combination
✔✔Positive Test BI - ✔✔indicates positive bacterial growth and a failing result
✔✔Control BI - ✔✔an unsterilized/processed spore strip; when incubated with
processed BIs, should always be positive. confirms spores on indicators were alive and
viable for testing
