IAHCSMM (CRCST) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which temperature range is required for steam sterilization in a gravity displacement cycle for wrapped instruments?
- 250°F (121°C) for 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- 270°F (132°C) for 4 minutes
- 275°F (135°C) for 10 minutes
- 212°F (100°C) for 30 minutes
Correct answer: 250°F (121°C) for 15 minutes
Gravity displacement steam sterilization for wrapped instruments requires 250°F (121°C) for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a biological indicator (BI) in sterilization monitoring?
- To detect residual moisture in the load
- To confirm that sterilization parameters were met using resistant spores (Correct answer)
- To measure chemical concentration in the sterilant
- To check the mechanical seal of packaging
Correct answer: To confirm that sterilization parameters were met using resistant spores
Biological indicators use highly resistant bacterial spores to confirm that sterilization conditions were sufficient to kill the most resistant microorganisms.
Question 3: Which item classification system determines the level of disinfection or sterilization required for a medical device?
- Spaulding Classification (Correct answer)
- CDC Infection Categories
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
- Joint Commission Risk Levels
Correct answer: Spaulding Classification
The Spaulding Classification categorizes medical devices as critical, semi-critical, or non-critical to determine the appropriate level of reprocessing.
Question 4: What does the term 'bioburden' refer to in the context of instrument reprocessing?
- The weight of biological tissue attached to an instrument
- The number and types of viable microorganisms present on an item before sterilization (Correct answer)
- The chemical residue left after disinfection
- The biological hazard rating of a sterilization agent
Correct answer: The number and types of viable microorganisms present on an item before sterilization
Bioburden refers to the number and types of viable microorganisms contaminating an item prior to sterilization, which affects the efficacy of the sterilization process.
Question 5: Which PPE is required when handling instruments in the decontamination area?
- Sterile gloves and a gown only
- Utility gloves, face shield, impermeable gown, and shoe covers (Correct answer)
- Examination gloves and a surgical mask
- No PPE is required if instruments are pre-soaked
Correct answer: Utility gloves, face shield, impermeable gown, and shoe covers
OSHA requires full PPE including utility gloves, face/eye protection, impermeable gown, and shoe covers in the decontamination area to protect against bloodborne pathogens.
Question 6: What is the correct order of workflow in a central sterile processing department?
- Sterilization → Decontamination → Inspection → Assembly
- Decontamination → Inspection/Assembly → Packaging → Sterilization (Correct answer)
- Packaging → Sterilization → Decontamination → Assembly
- Inspection → Decontamination → Sterilization → Packaging
Correct answer: Decontamination → Inspection/Assembly → Packaging → Sterilization
The correct workflow flows from decontamination through inspection and assembly, then packaging, and finally sterilization to ensure a unidirectional clean-to-sterile process.
Question 7: Which type of packaging material is NOT compatible with ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization?
- Nonwoven polypropylene wraps
- Nylon pouches (Correct answer)
- Paper/plastic peel pouches
- Woven textile wraps
Correct answer: Nylon pouches
Nylon is not permeable to ethylene oxide gas and therefore is not appropriate for EO sterilization packaging.
IAHCSMM (CRCST) 2
Which temperature range is required for steam sterilization in a gravity displacement cycle for wrapped instruments?