Inventory and Supply Management Flashcards
7 cards from real IAHCSMM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Inventory and Supply Management flashcards as text
Which term describes the process of tracking a sterile item from its point of manufacture or sterilization to its use on a specific patient?
Answer: Lot control / Traceability
Lot control or traceability links a sterilized item or batch to a specific patient, enabling rapid identification and recall of potentially compromised items.
What is cycle counting in Central Service inventory management?
Answer: A continuous auditing process where a subset of inventory is counted on a rotating schedule
Cycle counting involves regularly counting a portion of inventory on a rotating basis rather than performing a single annual physical count, improving ongoing inventory accuracy.
A Central Service department receives a shipment of sterile supplies. Which of the following should be inspected upon receipt?
Answer: Package integrity, expiration dates, and correct item quantities matching the purchase order
Upon receipt, CS staff must verify package integrity (no tears or moisture), expiration dates, and quantities against the purchase order to ensure safe and accurate stocking.
What does the term 'obsolescence' mean in the context of Central Service supply management?
Answer: Equipment or supplies that are no longer useful due to changes in technology, procedure, or clinical need
Obsolescence refers to items that become outdated or unnecessary due to changes in surgical techniques, equipment, or clinical protocols, requiring removal from active inventory.
Which inventory valuation method assigns the cost of the MOST RECENTLY purchased items to goods sold or used first?
Answer: LIFO (Last In, First Out)
LIFO assumes the most recently purchased items are the first to be used, which can affect cost accounting but is generally discouraged in healthcare due to expiration concerns.
When a Central Service department notices frequent stockouts of a high-use item, what is the MOST appropriate corrective action?
Answer: Review and adjust the par level or reorder point upward to reflect actual usage
Persistent stockouts indicate that the current par level or reorder point is too low; adjusting it upward ensures adequate stock is maintained to meet clinical demand.
Which of the following is the PRIMARY reason Central Service departments use instrument tracking software?
Answer: To provide real-time location and reprocessing history of instruments for accountability and recall readiness
Instrument tracking software records each instrument's location, usage, and sterilization history, enabling rapid recall response and demonstrating accountability for patient safety.