Medcerts Sterile Processing Questions
and Answers
10 essential steps for reprocessing flexible endoscopes - ANSWER-1. pre-clean at point
of use
2. leak test
3. clean
4. visually inspect
5. perform cleaning verification test
6. prepare for sterilization or high-level disinfection
7. dry
8. transport
9. storage
10. documentation
acid detergents - ANSWER-primarily used to remove mineral deposits, such as hard
water, urine, minerals, and scale; pH of 1.6-3
- advantages: excellent for removing mineral deposits and urine; work well on inorganic
soils, neutralize alkaline residues and make stainless steel shine
- disadvantages: can damage surfaces of stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and glass;
disposal into sewer lines may be restricted in some states
activated (activation) - ANSWER-process by which a solution is combined with an
activating chemical before use. glutaraldehydes must be activated before initial use
advantages of steam sterilization - ANSWER-- low-cost
- quick cycles
- simple technology
- no residue or byproducts
Aeration - ANSWER-used with EtO
exposes packages to moving air for removal of residual toxins
aerobic - ANSWER-requiring the presence of air or free oxygen
AKA - ANSWER-above knee amputation
alkaline detergents - ANSWER-highly effective at removing organic soils (blood, fat, and
oils); range in pH from 8 to 11+
,- advantages: remove a wider range of soil than any other type of detergent; economical
and low foaming
-disadvantages: require thorough rinsing as they can leave a powdery residue; cannot
be used on devices made of bronze, copper, or aluminum
alkylation - ANSWER-a chemical reaction where hydrogen in replaced with an alkyl
group. this causes the cell to be unable to normally metabolize or reproduce, or both
amylase - ANSWER-(enzyme product) catalyzes (changes) starch
anaerobic - ANSWER-bacteria that can live in the absence of atmospheric oxygen
angstrom - ANSWER-a unit to measure the length of light waves
antiseptic - ANSWER-used on living tissue
asepsis - ANSWER-the absence of microorganisms that cause disease
asepsis (medical) - ANSWER-clean technique; procedures performed to reduce the
number of microorganisms and minimize their spread
asepsis (surgical) - ANSWER-Surgical technique; procedures performed to eliminate
the presence of all microorganisms, and/or prevent the introduction of microorganisms
to an area
aseptic technique - ANSWER-any activity or procedure that prevents infection or breaks
the chain of infection
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) - ANSWER-
nonprofit voluntary consensus organization whose membership is comprised of
healthcare technology professionals who research and develop new standards and
Technical Information Reports (TIRs) that address the use, care and processing of
devices and systems, or revise existing standards and TIR
also develop standards for manufacturers, which recommend the labeling, safety and
performance requirements for the products they use
austenitic and martensitic - ANSWER-(stainless steel) this metal is also known as 300
(most common) series stainless steel. it is non-magnetic, cannot be heat-harderned,
and is more corrosion-resistant than martensitic stainless steel
bactericidal - ANSWER-relating to the destruction of bacteria
basic principles of asepsis - ANSWER-1- know what is dirty
2- know what is clean
3- know what is sterile
, 4- keep each separate
5- immediately remedy for alterations from process
best practice - ANSWER-a method or technique that has consistently shown results
superior to those achieved by other means
binary fission - ANSWER-the typical method of bacterial reproduction in which a cell
divides into two equal part
bioburdern - ANSWER-the amount, or number, of microorganisms on a contaminated
object
biocidal - ANSWER-any product that is intended to destroy, control, or prevent harmful
organisms; ex: antibiotics and vaccines
biofilm - ANSWER-a collection of microorganisms that attach to surfaces and each
other and form a colony. the colony produces a protective gel that is very difficult to
penetrate with detergents and disinfectants.
biohazard signage - ANSWER-Notices posted in easily-seen locations that alert
persons in the area about the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, or other dangerous
biohazardous agents or organisms
biohazardous waste - ANSWER-waste containing infectious agents that present a risk
or potential risk to human health, either directly through infections or indirectly through
the environment
BKA - ANSWER-below knee amputation
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard - ANSWER-OSHA- federal law requiring that healthcare
facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards
BMT - ANSWER-bilateral myringotomy tubes
bowie dick test - ANSWER-a process completed at the same time every day to test the
vacuum function of a sterilizer
box locks - ANSWER-point where the two jaws or blades of an instrument connect and
pivot
byproducts - ANSWER-secondary products produced or leftover as the result of another
process, in this case sterilization
CABG - ANSWER-coronary artery bypass graft; graft repair of a coronary artery
camera - ANSWER-the component of an endoscope that can capture images
and Answers
10 essential steps for reprocessing flexible endoscopes - ANSWER-1. pre-clean at point
of use
2. leak test
3. clean
4. visually inspect
5. perform cleaning verification test
6. prepare for sterilization or high-level disinfection
7. dry
8. transport
9. storage
10. documentation
acid detergents - ANSWER-primarily used to remove mineral deposits, such as hard
water, urine, minerals, and scale; pH of 1.6-3
- advantages: excellent for removing mineral deposits and urine; work well on inorganic
soils, neutralize alkaline residues and make stainless steel shine
- disadvantages: can damage surfaces of stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and glass;
disposal into sewer lines may be restricted in some states
activated (activation) - ANSWER-process by which a solution is combined with an
activating chemical before use. glutaraldehydes must be activated before initial use
advantages of steam sterilization - ANSWER-- low-cost
- quick cycles
- simple technology
- no residue or byproducts
Aeration - ANSWER-used with EtO
exposes packages to moving air for removal of residual toxins
aerobic - ANSWER-requiring the presence of air or free oxygen
AKA - ANSWER-above knee amputation
alkaline detergents - ANSWER-highly effective at removing organic soils (blood, fat, and
oils); range in pH from 8 to 11+
,- advantages: remove a wider range of soil than any other type of detergent; economical
and low foaming
-disadvantages: require thorough rinsing as they can leave a powdery residue; cannot
be used on devices made of bronze, copper, or aluminum
alkylation - ANSWER-a chemical reaction where hydrogen in replaced with an alkyl
group. this causes the cell to be unable to normally metabolize or reproduce, or both
amylase - ANSWER-(enzyme product) catalyzes (changes) starch
anaerobic - ANSWER-bacteria that can live in the absence of atmospheric oxygen
angstrom - ANSWER-a unit to measure the length of light waves
antiseptic - ANSWER-used on living tissue
asepsis - ANSWER-the absence of microorganisms that cause disease
asepsis (medical) - ANSWER-clean technique; procedures performed to reduce the
number of microorganisms and minimize their spread
asepsis (surgical) - ANSWER-Surgical technique; procedures performed to eliminate
the presence of all microorganisms, and/or prevent the introduction of microorganisms
to an area
aseptic technique - ANSWER-any activity or procedure that prevents infection or breaks
the chain of infection
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) - ANSWER-
nonprofit voluntary consensus organization whose membership is comprised of
healthcare technology professionals who research and develop new standards and
Technical Information Reports (TIRs) that address the use, care and processing of
devices and systems, or revise existing standards and TIR
also develop standards for manufacturers, which recommend the labeling, safety and
performance requirements for the products they use
austenitic and martensitic - ANSWER-(stainless steel) this metal is also known as 300
(most common) series stainless steel. it is non-magnetic, cannot be heat-harderned,
and is more corrosion-resistant than martensitic stainless steel
bactericidal - ANSWER-relating to the destruction of bacteria
basic principles of asepsis - ANSWER-1- know what is dirty
2- know what is clean
3- know what is sterile
, 4- keep each separate
5- immediately remedy for alterations from process
best practice - ANSWER-a method or technique that has consistently shown results
superior to those achieved by other means
binary fission - ANSWER-the typical method of bacterial reproduction in which a cell
divides into two equal part
bioburdern - ANSWER-the amount, or number, of microorganisms on a contaminated
object
biocidal - ANSWER-any product that is intended to destroy, control, or prevent harmful
organisms; ex: antibiotics and vaccines
biofilm - ANSWER-a collection of microorganisms that attach to surfaces and each
other and form a colony. the colony produces a protective gel that is very difficult to
penetrate with detergents and disinfectants.
biohazard signage - ANSWER-Notices posted in easily-seen locations that alert
persons in the area about the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, or other dangerous
biohazardous agents or organisms
biohazardous waste - ANSWER-waste containing infectious agents that present a risk
or potential risk to human health, either directly through infections or indirectly through
the environment
BKA - ANSWER-below knee amputation
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard - ANSWER-OSHA- federal law requiring that healthcare
facilities protect employees from bloodborne health hazards
BMT - ANSWER-bilateral myringotomy tubes
bowie dick test - ANSWER-a process completed at the same time every day to test the
vacuum function of a sterilizer
box locks - ANSWER-point where the two jaws or blades of an instrument connect and
pivot
byproducts - ANSWER-secondary products produced or leftover as the result of another
process, in this case sterilization
CABG - ANSWER-coronary artery bypass graft; graft repair of a coronary artery
camera - ANSWER-the component of an endoscope that can capture images
