CER CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Chemical Disinfectants and Germicides Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does MEC stand for in the context of high-level disinfectant testing?
- Minimum Effective Concentration (Correct answer)
- Maximum Exposure Concentration
- Measured Enzyme Content
- Microbial Elimination Capacity
Correct answer: Minimum Effective Concentration
MEC stands for Minimum Effective Concentration, the lowest concentration at which a disinfectant remains effective against target organisms.
Question 2: Which test strip is used to verify that glutaraldehyde solution maintains its minimum effective concentration?
- MEC test strips (Correct answer)
- pH indicator strips
- Litmus paper
- Chlorine test strips
Correct answer: MEC test strips
MEC test strips are specifically designed to confirm that glutaraldehyde concentration has not fallen below the level required for high-level disinfection.
Question 3: What is the typical reuse life of activated glutaraldehyde 2.4% solution when used for high-level disinfection?
- 14 days (Correct answer)
- 7 days
- 30 days
- 1 day
Correct answer: 14 days
Most activated glutaraldehyde 2.4% formulations are approved for reuse up to 14 days, provided MEC testing confirms adequate concentration.
Question 4: Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) provides which primary advantage over glutaraldehyde for endoscope HLD?
- Less irritating vapors and no activation required (Correct answer)
- Faster sporicidal action
- Lower cost per use
- Broader material compatibility with metal instruments
Correct answer: Less irritating vapors and no activation required
OPA does not require activation, produces less irritating vapors, and does not require special ventilation requirements like glutaraldehyde.
Question 5: Which OSHA regulation establishes the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for glutaraldehyde in healthcare settings?
- OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (Correct answer)
- OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
- OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard
- OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment Standard
Correct answer: OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to inform workers of glutaraldehyde hazards, and NIOSH has set a recommended exposure limit of 0.2 ppm ceiling.
Question 6: Peracetic acid-based automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) operate at what approximate working concentration?
- 0.2–0.35% (Correct answer)
- 2–4%
- 5–10%
- 0.05–0.1%
Correct answer: 0.2–0.35%
Peracetic acid AER systems typically dilute the concentrate to approximately 0.2–0.35% peracetic acid during the disinfection cycle.
CER CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Chemical Disinfectants and Germicides Questions and Answers 1
What does MEC stand for in the context of high-level disinfectant testing?