Ch. 7

Question 1

What does bioburden refer to?

Answer 1

The number of microbes or amount of organic debris on an object

Example: Surgical instruments must undergo thorough cleaning to reduce bioburden before sterilization.

Question 2

What is the function of glutaraldehyde?

Answer 2

Acts as a high-level disinfectant with shorter exposure times and a sterilant with longer exposure times

Example: Glutaraldehyde is commonly used to disinfect endoscopes and other medical devices.

Question 3

What process is performed intraoperatively to maintain cleanliness during surgery?

Answer 3

Wiping instruments with sterile water

Importance: Helps prevent contamination of the surgical site and reduces the risk of infection.

Question 4

How does an ultrasonic cleaner work?

Answer 4

Uses cavitation to dislodge minute particles of soil and organic debris from instruments

Example: Ultrasonic cleaners are effective for cleaning intricate surgical instruments.

Question 5

What are rigid container systems used for?

Answer 5

Packaging systems with filters and removable locking devices

Example: Rigid containers provide a secure and sterile environment for storing surgical instruments.

Question 6

What is the most commonly used sterilization method?

Answer 6

Saturated steam sterilization

Characteristics: Safest and least expensive sterilization method.

Question 7

What does the Julian dating system denote?

Answer 7

The number of the calendar day from 1 through 365/366

Example: Julian dating is used to track the expiration of sterilized items.

Question 8

What is a biological indicator (BI) used for?

Answer 8

To verify the effectiveness of the sterilization process

Example: Geobacillus stearothermophilus is the biological indicator for steam sterilization.

Question 9

What is strike-through contamination?

Answer 9

Contamination caused by microorganisms passing through a sterilized package via moisture wicking

Example: Strike-through contamination can compromise the sterility of packaged instruments.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of ethylene oxide sterilization?

Answer 10

Greatest exposure risk to CSPD personnel, expensive, requires long cycle times

Example: Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize heat-sensitive medical devices and instruments.

Question 11

What is Cidex™ a trade name for?

Answer 11

Glutaraldehyde, a high-level disinfectant

Example: Cidex™ is used for disinfection of medical devices and equipment.

Question 12

What defines noncritical patient care items?

Answer 12

Items that come into contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes or non-intact skin

Example: Pulse oximeters are considered noncritical items.

Question 13

What are enzymatic solutions made of?

Answer 13

Catalysts that aid in breaking down proteinaceous debris such as blood and fat

Example: Enzymatic cleaners are used to pre-soak surgical instruments before manual cleaning.

Question 14

What is the common name for sodium hypochlorite?

Answer 14

Bleach

Example: Bleach is used for surface disinfection in healthcare settings.

Question 15

What is carbolic acid another name for?

Answer 15

The intermediate-level disinfectant compound phenol

Example: Carbolic acid is used as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

Question 16

What is the suitable substance for soaking instruments covered with bioburden?

Answer 16

Sterile water

Importance: Soaking helps loosen and remove organic debris before thorough cleaning.

Question 17

What does the turnover process involve?

Answer 17

Removing soiled items, cleaning surfaces, and preparing the room for the next surgical case

Importance: Ensures a clean and sterile environment for subsequent surgeries.

Question 18

What is an exception to environmental specifications for the decontamination room?

Answer 18

Positive air pressure maintained is not an environmental specification

Importance: Proper ventilation and air quality control are critical in sterile processing areas.

Question 19

What is the recommended solution for manual cleaning?

Answer 19

Lukewarm water, detergent, and enzymatic cleaner with neutral pH

Importance: Ensures effective removal of soil and debris from surgical instruments.

Question 20

What is the cleaning method for suction tip lumens?

Answer 20

Must be cleaned with bristle brushes on wires, pipe cleaners, or handheld pressure guns

Importance: Ensures thorough cleaning of narrow lumens to prevent blockages and contamination.

Question 21

What is the potential risk of placing dissimilar metallic instruments together in a washer sterilizer cycle?

Answer 21

Can lead to electrolytic conduction reactions

Importance: Prevents damage to instruments and maintains their effectiveness.

Question 22

What does milking of instruments refer to?

Answer 22

Lubricating stiffened stainless steel surgical instruments by immersion in a water-soluble solution

Importance: Lubrication ensures smooth operation and longevity of surgical instruments.

Question 23

What is prohibited regarding powered surgical instruments?

Answer 23

Must NEVER be immersed in any type of mechanical decontaminating equipment

Importance: Prevents damage to delicate electronic components and ensures instrument functionality.

Question 24

Why are items dried before submersion in glutaraldehyde?

Answer 24

To prevent dilution of the solution

Importance: Maintains the effectiveness of the disinfectant/sterilant solution.

Question 25

What is the primary concern before opening any sterilely packaged item?

Answer 25

Verifying the integrity of the package ## Footnote Importance: Ensures that the contents remain sterile and uncontaminated.

Question 26

What is an acceptable hand placement for scrubbed, gowned, and gloved surgical technologists?

Answer 26

Clasped together in front at waist level ## Footnote Importance: Prevents contamination of sterile attire and maintains aseptic technique.

Question 27

What is an exception regarding passing protocol for sterile team members?

Answer 27

Sterilely attired surgical team members should NOT pass front to front ## Footnote Importance: Minimizes the risk of contamination between sterile team members.

Question 28

What is the recommended distance for a nonsterile person to approach a sterile area?

Answer 28

Twelve inches ## Footnote Importance: Prevents inadvertent contamination of sterile fields.

Question 29

What procedure should be followed when draping an unsterile table?

Answer 29

The drape should be opened toward oneself first ## Footnote Importance: Minimizes the risk of contamination of the sterile field during draping.

Question 30

What is the most important factor in a surgical technologist's role in preventing surgical site infections?

Answer 30

Strict surgical conscience ## Footnote Importance: Ensures adherence to aseptic principles and infection control measures.

Question 31

What concept has replaced arbitrary expiration designations for assessing storage conditions?

Answer 31

Event-related assessment ## Footnote Importance: Enhances quality control and ensures timely evaluation of storage conditions.

Question 32

What method uses gamma rays or beta particles for sterilization?

Answer 32

Ionizing radiation sterilization ## Footnote Importance: Provides a highly effective method of sterilization for heat-sensitive materials.

Question 33

What is the recommended biological indicator for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization?

Answer 33

Geobacillus stearothermophilus ## Footnote Importance: Verifies the effectiveness of the sterilization process using this method.

Question 34

What is the objective of the Bowie-Dick test?

Answer 34

To detect air leaks and ensure proper air removal in the sterilization chamber ## Footnote Importance: Performed for prevacuum air removal steam sterilization methods.

Question 35

How do gravity displacement steam sterilizer cycles compare to prevacuum cycles?

Answer 35

Typically longer due to slower air removal ## Footnote Importance: Understanding cycle times ensures proper sterilization of instruments.

Question 36

What methods are included in sterilization process monitors?

Answer 36

Mechanical, chemical, and biological methods ## Footnote Importance: Ensures the effectiveness of the sterilization process and patient safety.

Question 37

Where should internal chemical indicators/integrators be placed?

Answer 37

In the center or most challenging portion of a tray ## Footnote Importance: Provides a reliable indication of sterilant penetration and exposure.

Question 38

What relative humidity level should be maintained in an ethylene oxide sterilizer?

Answer 38

Above 30% ## Footnote Importance: Proper humidity levels are critical for effective sterilization.

Question 39

Is performing the surgical scrub without a brush or sponge acceptable?

Answer 39

Yes, in certain situations ## Footnote Importance: Ensures flexibility in adhering to infection control practices while maintaining cleanliness.