Deck 18: Sterilization

Question 1

What is the name of the cycle that follows the timed gas-exposure to vent the EO chamber of airborne residual gas?

A)Aeration
B)Purging
C)Dispensing
D)Rotation

Answer 1

A
Aeration is the cycle to vent the chamber of airborne residual gas.Some chambers are a combination sterilizer/aerator,which eliminates the need for personnel to handle the load immediately after sterilization.The load is removed only after aeration.The aerator is vented to the outside atmosphere.

Question 2

What is the purpose of a Bowie-Dick test?

A)To determine the temperature of the sterilizer
B)To check for any residual microorganisms left in the sterilizer
C)To check for air entrapment in the prevacuum sterilizer
D)To determine whether the prevacuum sterilizer is cooling at the correct temperature

Answer 2

C
A Bowie-Dick test is conducted daily,usually on the first run of the day,to check for air entrapment in the prevacuum sterilizer.

Question 3

______ sterilization is the type of sterilization used when instruments are needed for immediate use.

A)Flash
B)Terminal
C)Aeration
D)Hydrogen peroxide

Answer 3

A
Flash sterilization in a high-speed pressure sterilizer should be used only in urgent,unplanned,or emergency situations.Items that are to be permanently implanted into the body are NOT to be sterilized in this manner unless the results of biologic monitoring are immediately available.

Question 4

Which statement regarding irradiation sterilization is true?

A)The principal sources of ionizing radiation are water molecules and heat.
B)Ionizing radiation is the most effective sterilization method.
C)Irradiation cannot sterilize heat- and moisture-sensitive items.
D)Beta 45 is the most commonly used source for irradiation sterilization.

Question 5

Which types of packaging materials are acceptable for use with EO sterilization?

A)Woven fabrics
B)Polyester
C)Polyvinyl chloride film
D)Nylon

Question 6

In order to destroy prions,such as those in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,how long must they be sterilized?

A)Chemically sterilized for 10 minutes in Cavicide
B)Steam sterilized for a minimum of 1 hour at 270° F after soaking in sodium hydroxide for 1 hour
C)Soaked in ethylene oxide for at least 30 minutes, then dry heat sterilized for 10 minutes
D)Rinsing in sterile water at 240° F for 1 hour then rinsing in Cavicide

Question 7

What is the preferred method for sterilizing talc?

A)Steam heat sterilization
B)Dry heat sterilization
C)EO gas sterilization
D)Glutaraldehyde sterilization

Question 8

Where are count sheets placed for the sterilization process?

A)In the bottom of the tray
B)Set on the case cart
C)Placed on top of instruments
D)Taped to the top

Question 9

Which is one of the six process-associated parameters associated with sterilization?

A)Steam quality
B)Wrapper capacity
C)Cost to operate radiation sterilization
D)Saturation and penetration

Question 10

Which is an advantage of using ozone gas sterilization?

A)Multiple settings for each cycle
B)Inexpensive cost per each load
C)High temperature heats instruments and sterilizes well
D)Can be used to sterilize implants and flexible endoscopes

Question 11

Most gravity displacement steam sterilizers have a minimum exposure time of ____ minutes.

A)8 to 10
B)15 to 30
C)4
D)15

Question 12

What is required for the steam sterilization process to be effective in killing microorganisms?

A)Cool sterile air and hydrogen peroxide
B)Pounds of pressure and heat
C)Moisture and heat
D)Air in sterilizer chamber

Question 13

Which is one of the three known residual products found after EO sterilization?

A)Ethylene chloride
B)Ethylene alcohol
C)Ethylene glycol
D)Hydrogen peroxide

Question 14

Which is a type of chemical sterilizing agent?

A)Steam
B)Microwave
C)Ozone gas
D)Radiation vapor

Question 15

Which chemical sterilants require the user to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)throughout use of the product?

A)Glutaraldehyde
B)Steam sterilant
C)Nonionizing radiation
D)Cobalt-60

Question 16

What is an advantage of using custom packs for a surgical procedure?

A)Reduces turnover time in opening supplies for a procedure
B)Provides many extra supplies within the pack from which the scrub nurse can choose
C)Increases inventory numbers
D)Requires additional inventory space

Question 17

How does Sterrad sterilization work?

A)Items don't need to be thoroughly rinsed before use.
B)They have low volatility.
C)It works by a strong vacuum.
D)Aeration is needed.

Question 18

Which is an advantage of EO gas sterilization?

A)It is noncorrosive and does not damage items.
B)It is a quick, efficient process.
C)It is inexpensive and cost effective.
D)It is nonirritating to mucous membranes.

Question 19

Which is a disadvantage of steam sterilization?

A)Steam leaves a harmful residue on instruments.
B)Items need to be clean and free of grease.
C)Steam is expensive and not easily supplied.
D)Steam's total time cycle is the longest of all methods.

Question 20

When preparing to sterilize odd-shaped or single instruments,which packaging material is best?

A)Nonwoven fabric
B)Peel-pack pouch
C)Wrapped tray
D)Foam and two-ply paper wrap

Question 21

Which class of chemical indicator is placed on the exterior of the package or item before processing?

A)Class 1
B)Class 3
C)Class 4
D)Class 5

Question 22

Routine maintenance consists of daily inspections of gaskets,gauges,and drain screens of sterilizing devices used.

Question 23

What method assures that sterilization conditions have been achieved during the steam sterilization process?

A)Bowie-Dick test
B)Negative biologic control
C)Negative biologic indicator
D)Class 2 auto test

Question 24

External indicator tape should be placed within an item's package to determine sterility.

Question 25

A wet pack is acceptable to use as long as it is still sealed and has been sterilized.

Question 26

Sterilization renders an item free of most microorganisms except for some spores.

Question 27

What is the purpose of a load control number?

A)To determine which OR is being used for particular procedures
B)To determine the time the item or instrument tray is being used
C)To facilitate identification and retrieval of supplies if a sterilization failure occurs
D)To track which patient is being operated on within a facility

Question 28

Concave or cupped instruments should be placed with the cupped side up so they catch and retain the excess water or solution at the end of the sterilization cycle.

Question 29

When assembling instrument trays,sharp instruments should be placed on the bottom of the tray to prevent injury when removing instruments from the tray.

Question 30

Lubricant on any items must be removed before being sterilized with EO gas.

Question 31

When the sterilizer door is opened,wrapped instruments must be removed immediately to begin cooling and drying on a cool surface.

Question 32

What does the facility do if they do not have the correct instruments for a case?

A)Send the patient to another facility
B)Can't do the case
C)Request that loaner instrumentation be brought in to the facility
D)Use what is available

Question 33

Ethylene oxide (EO)is a chemical sterilant that does not kill spores.

Question 34

A closed-container system with moisture in the closed tray is considered unsterile and contaminated.

Question 35

Like EO sterilization,hydrogen peroxide sterilization requires a lengthy aeration period.

Question 36

A sterilized peel-pack pouch is considered sterile for only 30 days once it has been sterilized.

Question 37

It is acceptable to open sterile supplies into a rigid closed container because the four sides are sterile.

Question 38

For sterilization to be effective,the sterilization agent must come in contact with all surfaces of every instrument.

Question 39

When loading a dry heat sterilizer,it must be loaded to the fullest capacity with no space wasted so as to use the energy efficiently.

Question 40

When using a gravity displacement sterilizer,the ability of the steam to kill the microorganisms is increased in direct proportion to the amount of air present.

Question 41

An item that can be safely steam sterilized should never be gas sterilized.

Question 42

A case cart system is used to gather and deliver sterile and nonsterile items needed for a particular surgical procedure.