CIS CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist Storage and Distribution of Surgical Instruments Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When inspecting a sterile package before dispensing it to the OR, which finding would require the set to be reprocessed?
- A slightly indented pouch seal area
- A torn corner of the outer wrap (Correct answer)
- Minor wrinkling of the outer paper
- A handwritten lot number on the label
Correct answer: A torn corner of the outer wrap
Any breach in the packaging barrier, such as a torn corner, compromises sterility and requires the item to be reprocessed before use.
Question 2: What information must be included on the label of a sterilized instrument set?
- Surgeon name and OR room number
- Load number, sterilizer ID, date, and cycle parameters (Correct answer)
- Patient MRN and procedure type
- Manufacturer lot number only
Correct answer: Load number, sterilizer ID, date, and cycle parameters
Labels must include the load number, sterilizer ID, processing date, and cycle parameters to allow full traceability and recall capability if needed.
Question 3: Which type of shelving is preferred for sterile storage because it allows air circulation and easy visual inspection?
- Solid wood shelving
- Solid metal shelving with lips
- Wire or open-grid shelving (Correct answer)
- Pressurized cabinet shelving
Correct answer: Wire or open-grid shelving
Wire or open-grid shelving promotes air circulation, reduces moisture buildup, and allows staff to visually inspect packages from multiple angles without handling them.
Question 4: How far from an outside wall should sterile items be stored to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations?
- 2 inches
- 6 inches (Correct answer)
- 18 inches
- 36 inches
Correct answer: 6 inches
Storing sterile items at least 6 inches from outside walls protects them from temperature extremes and condensation that can form on exterior walls.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the instrument tracking number or barcode applied to each sterilized set?
- To indicate the instrument manufacturer
- To enable lot traceability and recall in case of sterilization failure (Correct answer)
- To assign the set to a specific surgeon
- To indicate the cost of the instrument set
Correct answer: To enable lot traceability and recall in case of sterilization failure
Tracking numbers enable the facility to trace every sterilized set to its specific load, allowing rapid identification and recall of potentially non-sterile items.
Question 6: Which action is correct when a sterile package is found to be wet after steam sterilization?
- Allow it to air dry and use it if visually intact
- Record the wet pack and reprocess the entire load (Correct answer)
- Use the package immediately before it can be contaminated
- Place it in a dryer and resterilize after 30 minutes
Correct answer: Record the wet pack and reprocess the entire load
Wet packs indicate a sterilization failure event; moisture compromises the sterile barrier and necessitates reprocessing the entire load and investigating the cause.
CIS CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist Storage and Distribution of Surgical Instruments Questions and Answers 2
When inspecting a sterile package before dispensing it to the OR, which finding would require the set to be reprocessed?