CER High-Level Disinfection Processes 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER), which action is the technician's responsibility after the cycle ends?
- The scope is ready for patient use directly from the AER
- Verify cycle completion, document results, and dry the scope per protocol (Correct answer)
- Send the scope immediately to sterilization for a safety cycle
- Soak the scope in OPA for an additional 12 minutes as backup
Correct answer: Verify cycle completion, document results, and dry the scope per protocol
After AER cycle completion, the technician must verify the cycle printout, document the results, and perform appropriate drying before storage or use.
Question 2: Which scenario represents a break in the HLD process that requires the scope to be reprocessed from the beginning?
- The soak timer was paused for 2 minutes during a power fluctuation
- The scope was fully immersed but the channel ports were not connected to the HLD flow (Correct answer)
- The HLD solution was 1°C above the minimum temperature recommendation
- The scope was rinsed with filtered water instead of sterile water
Correct answer: The scope was fully immersed but the channel ports were not connected to the HLD flow
If internal channels are not perfused with HLD solution, microorganisms inside those channels are not exposed to the disinfectant, invalidating the disinfection process.
Question 3: What is the significance of the 'reuse life' versus 'shelf life' of an HLD solution?
- They are interchangeable terms meaning the same thing
- Shelf life is before opening; reuse life is how long the opened solution remains effective (Correct answer)
- Reuse life applies only to single-use products
- Shelf life determines when to test MRC; reuse life does not require testing
Correct answer: Shelf life is before opening; reuse life is how long the opened solution remains effective
Shelf life refers to the unopened product's expiration date, while reuse life is the period after activation that the solution remains above MRC during repeated use.
Question 4: A CER technician is asked to reprocess a bronchoscope used in a suspected Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) patient. What should the technician know about HLD and C. diff?
- Standard HLD is sufficient because C. diff vegetative cells are killed by HLD
- HLD reliably kills C. diff spores, so no additional steps are needed
- C. diff spores resist HLD; sterilization or sporicidal agents are required for critical items (Correct answer)
- Bronchoscopes require only low-level disinfection after C. diff cases
Correct answer: C. diff spores resist HLD; sterilization or sporicidal agents are required for critical items
C. diff spores are resistant to standard HLD; while the vegetative cells are killed, spores survive, making sporicidal treatment or sterilization preferable for critical instruments.
Question 5: Which of the following practices is required to prevent aerosolization of HLD chemicals during manual reprocessing?
- Agitating the solution vigorously to release trapped air
- Keeping the HLD basin covered when the scope is soaking (Correct answer)
- Pouring HLD from a height to improve mixing
- Using a fan to disperse fumes away from the work area
Correct answer: Keeping the HLD basin covered when the scope is soaking
Keeping the basin covered during the soak reduces vapor release and chemical exposure to staff, and is a standard occupational safety requirement.
Question 6: What information must be recorded in the HLD processing log for each scope reprocessed?
- Scope model number only
- Patient name, scope ID, HLD lot number, MRC test result, technician ID, and date/time (Correct answer)
- Only the technician's initials and the date
- The attending physician's name and procedure type
Correct answer: Patient name, scope ID, HLD lot number, MRC test result, technician ID, and date/time
Complete traceability requires documenting patient identification, scope ID, HLD lot/expiration, MRC test result, technician ID, and the date and time of processing.
Question 7: Which factor determines whether an endoscope requires high-level disinfection versus sterilization?
- The age of the endoscope and number of prior uses
- The Spaulding classification of the body cavity or tissue the scope contacts (Correct answer)
- Whether the scope is flexible or rigid
- The nationality of the disinfectant manufacturer
Correct answer: The Spaulding classification of the body cavity or tissue the scope contacts
The Spaulding classification system categorizes devices by the level of infection risk based on the type of tissue they contact, determining the required level of reprocessing.
CER High-Level Disinfection Processes 5
When using an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER), which action is the technician's responsibility after the cycle ends?