CRCST CRCST Distribution and Delivery 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a case cart system in central service distribution?
- To clean surgical instruments
- To deliver procedure-specific items to the OR before surgery (Correct answer)
- To sterilize wrapped packs
- To track employee schedules
Correct answer: To deliver procedure-specific items to the OR before surgery
Case cart systems deliver all required sterile and non-sterile items for a specific surgical procedure to the operating room before the case begins.
Question 2: Which principle should guide the distribution of sterile supplies to ensure oldest stock is used first?
- LIFO (Last In, First Out)
- FIFO (First In, First Out) (Correct answer)
- Random rotation
- Weight-based rotation
Correct answer: FIFO (First In, First Out)
FIFO (First In, First Out) ensures that older sterile items are used before newer ones, reducing the risk of expiration.
Question 3: When transporting sterile items through the hospital, which type of cart should be used?
- Open wire-shelf carts
- Closed, covered transport carts (Correct answer)
- Wooden carts
- Metal mesh carts without covers
Correct answer: Closed, covered transport carts
Closed, covered transport carts protect sterile packages from environmental contamination, moisture, and physical damage during transit.
Question 4: A sterile package is found on the OR shelf with a broken seal. What is the correct action?
- Use it immediately before it gets worse
- Return it to CS for reprocessing (Correct answer)
- Re-seal it with tape
- Leave it for the surgeon to decide
Correct answer: Return it to CS for reprocessing
A broken seal compromises sterility; the item must be returned to central service for reprocessing before use.
Question 5: What documentation is typically required when issuing sterile instruments to the operating room?
- Physician credentials
- Lot numbers, expiration dates, and quantity issued (Correct answer)
- Employee social security numbers
- Patient insurance information
Correct answer: Lot numbers, expiration dates, and quantity issued
Tracking lot numbers, expiration dates, and quantity issued enables traceability in the event of a sterility recall or patient safety event.
Question 6: Which term describes the system where supplies are stored in a satellite location close to the point of use?
- Centralized distribution
- Par-level management
- Decentralized distribution (Correct answer)
- Zone stocking
Correct answer: Decentralized distribution
Decentralized distribution places supply storage closer to where items are used, such as in OR sub-sterile rooms, to improve efficiency.
CRCST CRCST Distribution and Delivery 1
What is the primary purpose of a case cart system in central service distribution?