Sterile Processing Exam (2025) comprehensive
questions and verified answers (detailed &
elaborated) ACTUAL EXAM 2025 TEST!!
1. What is the primary purpose of sterile processing in healthcare?
A) To clean patient rooms
B) To ensure surgical instruments are safe and free from
microorganisms
C) To assist in patient diagnosis
D) To sterilize patient wounds
Answer: B) To ensure surgical instruments are safe and free from
microorganisms
2. Which of the following is the best method to verify that a sterilizer has
reached proper temperature and pressure?
A) Visual inspection
B) Biological indicators (spore tests)
C) Checking the sterilizer timer only
D) Wiping the instruments
Answer: B) Biological indicators (spore tests)
3. What is the minimum recommended temperature for steam sterilization
using a gravity displacement autoclave?
,A) 121°C (250°F) for 30 minutes
B) 132°C (270°F) for 4 minutes
C) 121°C (250°F) for 15-30 minutes
D) 100°C (212°F) for 20 minutes
Answer: C) 121°C (250°F) for 15-30 minutes
4. Which of the following is NOT a critical step in decontamination of surgical
instruments?
A) Pre-soaking instruments in enzymatic detergent
B) Manual cleaning of instruments with a brush
C) Rinsing with clean water
D) Wrapping instruments before cleaning
Answer: D) Wrapping instruments before cleaning
5. What does the term "flash sterilization" refer to?
A) Sterilizing instruments in a chemical solution
B) Rapid steam sterilization without packaging for immediate use
C) Using dry heat sterilization for instruments
D) Sterilizing instruments in ultraviolet light
Answer: B) Rapid steam sterilization without packaging for immediate use
6. How often should sterilizers undergo preventive maintenance?
A) Every week
B) Monthly
C) Annually
D) According to the manufacturer's recommendations
Answer: D) According to the manufacturer's recommendations
,7. When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn in the sterile
processing department?
A) Only when handling sterile instruments
B) During all stages of decontamination and sterilization
C) Only during sterilizer operation
D) Only when cleaning the floors
Answer: B) During all stages of decontamination and sterilization
8. What is the first step after removing used instruments from an operating
room?
A) Packaging the instruments
B) Cleaning the instruments immediately or placing them in a holding
solution
C) Sterilizing the instruments
D) Placing the instruments in a dry area
Answer: B) Cleaning the instruments immediately or placing them in a holding
solution
9. Which sterilization method is appropriate for heat-sensitive instruments?
A) Steam sterilization
B) Ethylene oxide gas sterilization
C) Boiling water sterilization
D) Dry heat sterilization
Answer: B) Ethylene oxide gas sterilization
10. What is the main reason for inspecting instruments before packaging?
A) To reduce the weight of the package
B) To ensure all instruments are clean, functional, and free of damage
, C) To make packaging faster
D) To determine the sterilization cycle needed
Answer: B) To ensure all instruments are clean, functional, and free of damage
11. How should sterile packs be stored?
A) On the floor in a dry area
B) In a designated sterile storage area, off the floor, and away from
moisture and heat
C) Near sinks for easy access
D) In any open area in the processing room
Answer: B) In a designated sterile storage area, off the floor, and away from
moisture and heat
12. What is the recommended action if an instrument is found to be
malfunctioning during inspection?
A) Sterilize it anyway
B) Remove it from service and send for repair or discard
C) Clean it thoroughly and reuse
D) Wrap it separately
Answer: B) Remove it from service and send for repair or discard
13. Which of the following is the correct order of sterile processing workflow?
A) Packaging → Decontamination → Sterilization → Storage
B) Decontamination → Packaging → Sterilization → Storage
C) Sterilization → Decontamination → Packaging → Storage
D) Storage → Sterilization → Decontamination → Packaging
Answer: B) Decontamination → Packaging → Sterilization → Storage
questions and verified answers (detailed &
elaborated) ACTUAL EXAM 2025 TEST!!
1. What is the primary purpose of sterile processing in healthcare?
A) To clean patient rooms
B) To ensure surgical instruments are safe and free from
microorganisms
C) To assist in patient diagnosis
D) To sterilize patient wounds
Answer: B) To ensure surgical instruments are safe and free from
microorganisms
2. Which of the following is the best method to verify that a sterilizer has
reached proper temperature and pressure?
A) Visual inspection
B) Biological indicators (spore tests)
C) Checking the sterilizer timer only
D) Wiping the instruments
Answer: B) Biological indicators (spore tests)
3. What is the minimum recommended temperature for steam sterilization
using a gravity displacement autoclave?
,A) 121°C (250°F) for 30 minutes
B) 132°C (270°F) for 4 minutes
C) 121°C (250°F) for 15-30 minutes
D) 100°C (212°F) for 20 minutes
Answer: C) 121°C (250°F) for 15-30 minutes
4. Which of the following is NOT a critical step in decontamination of surgical
instruments?
A) Pre-soaking instruments in enzymatic detergent
B) Manual cleaning of instruments with a brush
C) Rinsing with clean water
D) Wrapping instruments before cleaning
Answer: D) Wrapping instruments before cleaning
5. What does the term "flash sterilization" refer to?
A) Sterilizing instruments in a chemical solution
B) Rapid steam sterilization without packaging for immediate use
C) Using dry heat sterilization for instruments
D) Sterilizing instruments in ultraviolet light
Answer: B) Rapid steam sterilization without packaging for immediate use
6. How often should sterilizers undergo preventive maintenance?
A) Every week
B) Monthly
C) Annually
D) According to the manufacturer's recommendations
Answer: D) According to the manufacturer's recommendations
,7. When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn in the sterile
processing department?
A) Only when handling sterile instruments
B) During all stages of decontamination and sterilization
C) Only during sterilizer operation
D) Only when cleaning the floors
Answer: B) During all stages of decontamination and sterilization
8. What is the first step after removing used instruments from an operating
room?
A) Packaging the instruments
B) Cleaning the instruments immediately or placing them in a holding
solution
C) Sterilizing the instruments
D) Placing the instruments in a dry area
Answer: B) Cleaning the instruments immediately or placing them in a holding
solution
9. Which sterilization method is appropriate for heat-sensitive instruments?
A) Steam sterilization
B) Ethylene oxide gas sterilization
C) Boiling water sterilization
D) Dry heat sterilization
Answer: B) Ethylene oxide gas sterilization
10. What is the main reason for inspecting instruments before packaging?
A) To reduce the weight of the package
B) To ensure all instruments are clean, functional, and free of damage
, C) To make packaging faster
D) To determine the sterilization cycle needed
Answer: B) To ensure all instruments are clean, functional, and free of damage
11. How should sterile packs be stored?
A) On the floor in a dry area
B) In a designated sterile storage area, off the floor, and away from
moisture and heat
C) Near sinks for easy access
D) In any open area in the processing room
Answer: B) In a designated sterile storage area, off the floor, and away from
moisture and heat
12. What is the recommended action if an instrument is found to be
malfunctioning during inspection?
A) Sterilize it anyway
B) Remove it from service and send for repair or discard
C) Clean it thoroughly and reuse
D) Wrap it separately
Answer: B) Remove it from service and send for repair or discard
13. Which of the following is the correct order of sterile processing workflow?
A) Packaging → Decontamination → Sterilization → Storage
B) Decontamination → Packaging → Sterilization → Storage
C) Sterilization → Decontamination → Packaging → Storage
D) Storage → Sterilization → Decontamination → Packaging
Answer: B) Decontamination → Packaging → Sterilization → Storage
