Instrument Processing Flashcards
7 cards from real CRCST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Instrument Processing flashcards as text
A chemical indicator (CI) placed inside a wrapped instrument set serves what primary function?
Answer: Confirms the package was exposed to sterilization conditions
Internal CIs confirm that sterilization conditions (such as steam, temperature, and time) penetrated the packaging and reached the instruments inside.
The Bowie-Dick test is used to detect:
Answer: Air removal and steam penetration issues in pre-vacuum sterilizers
The Bowie-Dick test verifies that the pre-vacuum sterilizer is effectively removing air and allowing steam to penetrate the load uniformly.
Point-of-use treatment of contaminated instruments before transport to the decontamination area should include:
Answer: Removing gross soil and keeping instruments moist to prevent drying
Removing gross soil and keeping instruments moist prevents bioburden from drying and hardening, which makes subsequent cleaning much more difficult.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when working in the decontamination area?
Answer: Utility gloves, face shield, fluid-resistant gown, and shoe covers
The decontamination area requires full barrier PPE including utility gloves, face shield, fluid-resistant gown, and shoe covers to protect against blood and body fluid exposure.
What does the term 'bioburden' refer to in instrument processing?
Answer: The number and type of viable microorganisms on an unsterilized item
Bioburden refers to the population of viable microorganisms present on an item before sterilization, which must be minimized through effective cleaning.
Stainless steel instruments with pitting corrosion are most likely damaged by:
Answer: Contact with saline or chloride-containing solutions
Chloride ions in saline solutions attack the passive oxide layer of stainless steel, causing pitting corrosion over time.
When preparing a peel pouch for sterilization, the paper-to-paper or plastic-to-plastic sealing method is avoided because:
Answer: It does not allow for proper peel-open technique without contamination
Paper-to-paper or plastic-to-plastic orientation prevents the proper peel-apart opening technique, risking contamination of the sterile contents during aseptic presentation.