Sterile Processing Technician (CRCST)
Practice Examination | Questions And
Answers | Newest Exam 2026-2027 |
1. What is the primary responsibility of a Sterile Processing Technician?
A. Diagnose patient illnesses
B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and medical equipment
C. Perform surgical procedures
D. Prescribe medications
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and
medical equipment
Rationale
B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and medical equipment is
correct because Sterile Processing Technicians ensure reusable medical devices are properly
decontaminated, inspected, assembled, sterilized, and ready for safe patient use.
2. Which department is primarily responsible for reprocessing reusable surgical
instruments?
A. Emergency Department
B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
C. Radiology Department
D. Pharmacy Department
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
Rationale
B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) is correct because the CSSD, also known as
the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), manages the cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and
distribution of reusable medical instruments.
, 3. Which step should always be performed before sterilizing surgical instruments?
A. Packaging only
B. Cleaning and decontamination
C. Lubrication only
D. Labeling only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cleaning and decontamination
Rationale
B. Cleaning and decontamination is correct because soil, blood, and debris must be removed
before sterilization, as contaminants can interfere with the sterilization process.
4. Which microorganism is the most resistant to routine sterilization processes and is
commonly used to monitor sterilizer effectiveness?
A. Viruses
B. Bacterial spores
C. Yeast
D. Fungi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bacterial spores
Rationale
B. Bacterial spores are correct because they are highly resistant to sterilization, making them the
standard biological indicator for verifying sterilizer performance.
5. What is the purpose of sterilization?
A. To remove visible dust only
B. To destroy all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores
C. To improve the appearance of instruments
D. To dry surgical instruments
Practice Examination | Questions And
Answers | Newest Exam 2026-2027 |
1. What is the primary responsibility of a Sterile Processing Technician?
A. Diagnose patient illnesses
B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and medical equipment
C. Perform surgical procedures
D. Prescribe medications
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and
medical equipment
Rationale
B. Prepare, clean, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and medical equipment is
correct because Sterile Processing Technicians ensure reusable medical devices are properly
decontaminated, inspected, assembled, sterilized, and ready for safe patient use.
2. Which department is primarily responsible for reprocessing reusable surgical
instruments?
A. Emergency Department
B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
C. Radiology Department
D. Pharmacy Department
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
Rationale
B. Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) is correct because the CSSD, also known as
the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), manages the cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and
distribution of reusable medical instruments.
, 3. Which step should always be performed before sterilizing surgical instruments?
A. Packaging only
B. Cleaning and decontamination
C. Lubrication only
D. Labeling only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cleaning and decontamination
Rationale
B. Cleaning and decontamination is correct because soil, blood, and debris must be removed
before sterilization, as contaminants can interfere with the sterilization process.
4. Which microorganism is the most resistant to routine sterilization processes and is
commonly used to monitor sterilizer effectiveness?
A. Viruses
B. Bacterial spores
C. Yeast
D. Fungi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bacterial spores
Rationale
B. Bacterial spores are correct because they are highly resistant to sterilization, making them the
standard biological indicator for verifying sterilizer performance.
5. What is the purpose of sterilization?
A. To remove visible dust only
B. To destroy all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores
C. To improve the appearance of instruments
D. To dry surgical instruments
