IAHCSMM Sterilization Methods & Monitoring 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a Class 5 integrating indicator measure?
- Presence of steam only
- Time and temperature only
- All critical variables: time, temperature, and steam quality (Correct answer)
- Biological kill rate directly
Correct answer: All critical variables: time, temperature, and steam quality
Class 5 integrating indicators respond to all critical parameters (time, temperature, and steam) and are designed to correlate with the performance of BIs.
Question 2: Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization is best suited for:
- Wrapped stainless steel trays
- Long, narrow lumened devices made of cellulose
- Heat-sensitive devices with compatible materials (short lumens, non-cellulose) (Correct answer)
- Any instrument approved for steam sterilization
Correct answer: Heat-sensitive devices with compatible materials (short lumens, non-cellulose)
H2O2 gas plasma works well for heat-sensitive items but is incompatible with cellulose (paper, linen) and very long or narrow lumens.
Question 3: What is the purpose of load control numbers (lot numbers) on sterilized packages?
- To identify the instrument manufacturer
- To enable traceability and facilitate recall if a sterilization failure is identified (Correct answer)
- To indicate cost center billing
- To record the packaging technician's name
Correct answer: To enable traceability and facilitate recall if a sterilization failure is identified
Load control numbers link each package to a specific sterilization cycle, enabling rapid identification and recall of items if a cycle fails.
Question 4: What is 'parametric release' in sterilization?
- Releasing loads based solely on BI results
- Releasing sterilized loads based on documented physical parameters meeting all cycle requirements (Correct answer)
- A type of EO monitoring
- A manual inspection of each package
Correct answer: Releasing sterilized loads based on documented physical parameters meeting all cycle requirements
Parametric release allows items to be released based on verified physical cycle data (temperature, time, pressure) meeting all specifications without waiting for BI incubation.
Question 5: What sterilization method uses peracetic acid and is commonly used for heat-sensitive endoscopes?
- Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP)
- Ethylene oxide (EO)
- STERRAD (H2O2 plasma)
- STERIS System 1E (peracetic acid immersion) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: STERIS System 1E (peracetic acid immersion)
The STERIS System 1E uses liquid peracetic acid for rapid, low-temperature sterilization of heat-sensitive immersible devices at the point of use.
Question 6: Why must sterilizer printouts and cycle records be retained?
- For billing purposes only
- To satisfy Joint Commission and regulatory requirements and provide evidence of process control (Correct answer)
- To track technician productivity
- They do not need to be retained
Correct answer: To satisfy Joint Commission and regulatory requirements and provide evidence of process control
Cycle records are legal documents required by regulatory bodies to demonstrate that sterilization processes are monitored, controlled, and effective.
IAHCSMM Sterilization Methods & Monitoring 2
What does a Class 5 integrating indicator measure?