Chapter 8 Cleaning and
Decontamination Questions with
correct Answers
Cleaning - Answer The removal of all visible and non-visible soil, and any other foreign material from
medical devices being processed.
Decontamination Area - Answer The location within a healthcare facility designated for the collection,
retention and cleaning of soiled and/or contaminated items. 10 air exchanges per hour, negative air
pressure, and 60-65 degrees.
Relative Humidity - Answer Amount of water vapor in the atmosphere; expressed as a percentage of the
total amount of vapor the atmosphere could hold without condensation.
Biohazardous Waste - Answer Waste containing infectious agents that present a risk or potential risk to
human health, either directly through infectious or indirectly through the environment.
Three Sink Arrangement Used for Manual Cleaning Should Consist of - Answer A wash sink, intermediate
rinse sink, and a final rinse sink.
Wash Sink - Answer Has water and detergent or enzymatic solution; this sink should be filled with warm
water with a temperature of 80-110 degrees. Water hardness, pH, temperature and the type of soil
present on instrumentation impact the effectiveness of enzymatic cleaners and detergent.
Second Sink (Intermediate Rinse) - Answer Filled with plain or softened water; after cleaning, devices
should be thoroughly rinsed to further assist in removing debris and detergent residues. This water
should be changed frequently.
Third Sink (Final Rinse) - Answer Filled with distilled, deionized or reverse osmosis (RO) water. This helps
prevent instrument spotting, rinse of cleaning chemical residues, and pyrogens, and prevent the
redeposit of minerals, microbes, and pyrogens.
, Deionized (DI) Water - Answer Water that has had all minerals removed through an ion exchange
process.
Distilled Water - Answer Water that is heated to steam, then allowed to cool and condense. The process
removes impurities, like gases and organic material; it also removes some bacteria.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) - Answer A water purification process by which a solvent, such as water, is
removed of impurities after being forced through a semipermeable membrane.
Pyrogen - Answer A substance, typically produced by a bacterium, that produces fever when
introduced/released into the blood.
Brushes - Answer Available in many diameters and lengths. Some must be rigid and others must be
flexible to properly clean the many different lumens, channels, and crevices in instruments. The correct
size is critical.
Cleaning Cloths - Answer Made of textiles; some have lint and others are low-lint or lint-free. Use of a
lint-free or low-lint reduces the risk of fibers being left on the instruments. They should be changed
regularly.
Sponges - Answer Can be used to clean some medical devices. Some are impregnated with detergents
and should be used according to the manufacturer's IFU. Discard and replace at least daily or after each
use.
Instrument Air - Answer Compressed air that has had dust, dirt, and other pollutants removed. Used to
power medical devices, such as pneumatic drills and saws, and calibrate medical equipment. To qualify,
it must be free of oil, water, hydrocarbons, and other contaminates that could cause infection.
Mechanical Cleaning - Answer Facilitates the decontamination process by removing soil and
microorganisms using an automated cleaning process. This does not completely replace the need for
manual cleaning.
Decontamination Questions with
correct Answers
Cleaning - Answer The removal of all visible and non-visible soil, and any other foreign material from
medical devices being processed.
Decontamination Area - Answer The location within a healthcare facility designated for the collection,
retention and cleaning of soiled and/or contaminated items. 10 air exchanges per hour, negative air
pressure, and 60-65 degrees.
Relative Humidity - Answer Amount of water vapor in the atmosphere; expressed as a percentage of the
total amount of vapor the atmosphere could hold without condensation.
Biohazardous Waste - Answer Waste containing infectious agents that present a risk or potential risk to
human health, either directly through infectious or indirectly through the environment.
Three Sink Arrangement Used for Manual Cleaning Should Consist of - Answer A wash sink, intermediate
rinse sink, and a final rinse sink.
Wash Sink - Answer Has water and detergent or enzymatic solution; this sink should be filled with warm
water with a temperature of 80-110 degrees. Water hardness, pH, temperature and the type of soil
present on instrumentation impact the effectiveness of enzymatic cleaners and detergent.
Second Sink (Intermediate Rinse) - Answer Filled with plain or softened water; after cleaning, devices
should be thoroughly rinsed to further assist in removing debris and detergent residues. This water
should be changed frequently.
Third Sink (Final Rinse) - Answer Filled with distilled, deionized or reverse osmosis (RO) water. This helps
prevent instrument spotting, rinse of cleaning chemical residues, and pyrogens, and prevent the
redeposit of minerals, microbes, and pyrogens.
, Deionized (DI) Water - Answer Water that has had all minerals removed through an ion exchange
process.
Distilled Water - Answer Water that is heated to steam, then allowed to cool and condense. The process
removes impurities, like gases and organic material; it also removes some bacteria.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) - Answer A water purification process by which a solvent, such as water, is
removed of impurities after being forced through a semipermeable membrane.
Pyrogen - Answer A substance, typically produced by a bacterium, that produces fever when
introduced/released into the blood.
Brushes - Answer Available in many diameters and lengths. Some must be rigid and others must be
flexible to properly clean the many different lumens, channels, and crevices in instruments. The correct
size is critical.
Cleaning Cloths - Answer Made of textiles; some have lint and others are low-lint or lint-free. Use of a
lint-free or low-lint reduces the risk of fibers being left on the instruments. They should be changed
regularly.
Sponges - Answer Can be used to clean some medical devices. Some are impregnated with detergents
and should be used according to the manufacturer's IFU. Discard and replace at least daily or after each
use.
Instrument Air - Answer Compressed air that has had dust, dirt, and other pollutants removed. Used to
power medical devices, such as pneumatic drills and saws, and calibrate medical equipment. To qualify,
it must be free of oil, water, hydrocarbons, and other contaminates that could cause infection.
Mechanical Cleaning - Answer Facilitates the decontamination process by removing soil and
microorganisms using an automated cleaning process. This does not completely replace the need for
manual cleaning.
