Prepare for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments.
Q: Question
Answer: Answer
Q: What states that All patient information is highly confidential and should NEVER be discussed with anyone at any time unless it is required for the direct care of the patient?
Answer: HIPPA
Q: This process is defined by AAMI as the removal of contamination from an item to the extent necessary for further processing or for the intended use.
Answer: cleaning
Q: What type of stainless steel is used to manufacture scissors, forceps, osteotomes, and chisels?
Answer: 400 series
Q: What type of material is used the most in the manufacturing of surgical instrumentation?
Answer: stainless steel
Q: What is the proper order of how work progresses through the CSPD?
Answer: Decontam, Prep and pack, sterilizer, sterile storage
Q: What is defined as microorganisms on a contaminated item?
Answer: Bioburden
Q: What type of stainless steel is used to manufacture basins, bowls, and malleable retractors?
Answer: 300 series
Q: The two steps in the process of decontamination?
Answer: manual cleaning and thermal process
Q: As defined by OSHA what is defined as “the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate or destroy blood borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface of
Answer: decontamination
Q: A Sales Rep brings in a new Stryker Drill for Dr Bridwell to try during a total hip procedure. What is the first step that should be taken?
Answer: Ask for written instructions.
Q: The temperature in the decontamination department:
Answer: 60°-65° F
Q: Sharps in the decontamination department should be confined and contained in what type of leak proof container?
Answer: impervious
Q: After thoroughly cleaning a contaminated item the most important step in the decontamination process is to _____________ the item.
Answer: rinsed
Q: Humidity level in a CS department should be kept at what percent?
Answer: 30-60%
Q: Instruments in the OR that are just opened but not used still have to go through the decontam process, only when?
Answer: every time and always considered contaminated
Q: What is the groups or collections of microorganisms that adhere to the surface of any object that comes into contact with nonsterile water?
Answer: biofilms
Q: What when used in small amounts is extremely corrosive to surgical instruments, and it’s use in the decontamination process is prohibited?
Answer: bleach
Q: A pH level of 7 is considered?
Answer: neutral
Q: Instruments should never be stored _________________, and all instruments should be sterilized as soon as possible after cleaning.
Answer: wet
Q: The air pressure in the decontamination department should be what?
Answer: negative
Q: How many air exchanges per hour is the decontamination department suppose to have?
Answer: 10
Q: How often is the temperature and humidity levels suppose to be documented?
Answer: daily
Q: What forms a protective slimy film on top of water and on instruments during the decontamination process?
Answer: biofilms
Q: A pH level of below 7 is considered?
Answer: acidic
Q: Items that have been presoaked or treated must be ____________ thoroughly before further cleaning, because the presoaking or treatment agent may not be compatible with the detergents used for cleaning.
Answer: rinsed
Q: A pH level above 7 is considered?
Answer: alkaline
Q: Biofilms adhere to all surfaces, but they form more slowly on smooth surfaces than on rough surfaces. In healthcare settings, the items most affected by biofilms are those with?
Answer: lumens, serrated surfaces, difficult-to-reach surfaces
Q: What kind of detergents contain organic substances that assist in the breakdown of protein soils and blood?
Answer: Enzymatic detergents
Q: When using enzymatic detergents higher water temperatures are not to be used because it will break down, or destroy, the enzymes, making them?
Answer: less efficient
Q: Temperatures below ______________ all have adverse affects, making enzymes sluggish and reducing their effectiveness.
Answer: 109° F
Q: Water temperatures of _________________ are best for enzyme based products
Answer: 140°F
Q: Enzymes can be used individually or in combination in the formulation of enzymatic detergents. Which enzymatic detergent breaks down blood, mucus, feces, and albumin?
Answer: protease
Q: Enzymes can be used individually or in combination in the formulation of enzymatic detergents. Which enzymatic detergent breaks lipase which breaks down fat (eg., bone marrow and adipose tissue)?
Answer: lipase
Q: Enzymes can be used individually or in combination in the formulation of enzymatic detergents. Which enzymatic detergent catalyzes starches and breaks down carbohydrates?
Answer: amylase
Q: What kind of detergents can be used to remove severe stains on stainless steel instruments?
Answer: organic acid
Q: What kind of cleaning agents are available for removing stubborn soils and stains; however, these are specially formulated agents that can be difficult to remove and must be thoroughly rinsed away?
Answer: non-abrasive
Q: What are organic compounds, i.e. they are made from products found in nature? By themselves they are poor cleaners and can be difficult to rinse off.
Answer: soaps
Q: There must be some type of action that enhances the cleaning process, such as ____________ on the surfaces. This is created by scrubbing in manual cleaning, by the continuous spraying of cleaning solutions against the device surfaces in a mechanical washe
Answer: friction
Q: What type of items must be opened during the cleaning process?
Answer: hinged
Q: What type of equipment cannot be immersed?
Answer: powered
Q: Manual cleaning may be the only effective method for certain instrumentation such as devices with?
Answer: lumens
Q: Detergents that are meant to bind with soils and keep them suspended in the solution so they can be removed during the rinsing process are use for what type of cleaning?
Answer: manual
Q: Using more detergent than called for does not improve the cleaning action; in fact, it can impede the process by leaving residuals behind that do not rinse off and that will build up over time, causing instruments to?
Answer: bind and/or corrode
Q: Detergent solutions must be changed frequently to reduce the bioburden (contamination) and to prevention of what to cleaned items and the environment?
Answer: recontamination
Q: Just as cleaning is the most important step in the decontamination process, what is the most important step in the cleaning process because it removes loosened soils and debris?
Answer: rinsing
Q: For either manual or mechanical cleaning, the final rinse should be performed with what type of water to prevent mineral deposits?
Answer: treated
Q: What kind of bristle brushes are not generally recommended because they can damage the protective layer of the surgical instruments? But these brushes can, however be used on tungsten carbide jaws of needle holders, which are difficult to clean because of
Answer: metal
Q: To maintain accreditation and receive payments from insurance companies, a healthcare facility must pass the __________________________.
Answer: jc inspection
Q: What kind of pads should not be used because they will scratch device surfaces, providing places for bacteria and debris to collect and promoting corrosion?
Answer: abrasive
Q: What are not acceptable for use, because they harbor bacteria, cannot be easily cleaned or disinfected, and break apart during use, leaving small particles in the serrations of instruments?
Answer: sponges
Q: To prevent the formations of __________________ all cleaning implements should be regularly cleaned and disinfected or sterilized (at minimum at the end of each shift).
Answer: biofilms
Q: This is an automated cleaning equipment, that transmits sound waves through a cleaning solution.
Answer: ultrasonic
Q: This mechanical action is called ___________________ it is very effective in cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as box locks, serrations, ratchets, and the teeth on instruments.
Answer: cavitation
Q: This type of detergent has a pH level higher than 11. These detergents are the most effective in removing heavy organic soils, but may accelerate the corrosion of surgical instruments and may leave scale deposits on equipment
Answer: highly alkaline
Q: To reduce the potential of corrosion highly alkaline detergents are best used in a multistep process: first the alkaline wash, then a ______________________, the a regular rinse.
Answer: neutralizing acid rinse
Q: What should not be placed over instruments?
Answer: bowls and emisis basins
Q: What type of chemicals are used to process endoscopes? This process allows endoscopes for immediate reuse at the end of the process.
Answer: high-level disinfectants
Q: Cart washers are mechanical cleaners that _________________ metal surgical case carts, supply carts, and even rigid sterilization containers.
Answer: sanitize
Q: What types of instruments present unique challenges for cleaning because of their design and the nature of the soils deposited on them (fatty marrow soils)?
Answer: orthopedic
Q: All orthopedic sets should be soaked in a what type of enzyme solution that has been prepared in accordance with the detergent manufacturers instructions?
Answer: lipolytic
Q: All instruments and devices received from another facility or company or owned and brought in by a surgeon for a case must be considered contaminated and should be completely?
Answer: reprocessed
Q: As for ALL medical devices processed in the CS/SPD, who is required to provide the instructions for cleaning and sterilization?
Answer: manufacturer
Q: Where is the first area to accept responsibilities into the healthcare facility?
Answer: recieving
Q: Loaner sets are often multi-level; if so each level should be cleaned how?
Answer: seprately
Q: When instruments are “opened but not used” and returned to the CS/SPD from user departments, they are considered?
Answer: contaminated
Q: To prevent damage, powered equipment should never be immersed in a solution, or come in contact with what type of solution?
Answer: saline
Q: Instruments should never be placed on top of fiberoptic cables because of the _______ inside could be damaged.
Answer: glass rods
Q: What type of endoscopes are extremely difficult to clean because of their numerous small channels (lumens) and size (some of these devices are more then 6 feet long)?
Answer: flexible
Q: Flexible endoscopes must always be _________________ before any manual precleaning is performed.
Answer: leak-tested
Q: The scope should be flushed with ____________ isoprpyl alcohol to facilitate drying.
Answer: 70%
Q: Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is defined as an acute inflammation of the anterior chamber (segment) of the eye after what type of surgery?
Answer: cataract
Q: A simple test for ultrasonic cleaners is to place a piece of what in the unit?
Answer: aluminum foil
Q: According to this organization the efficacy of cleaning processes should be verified on a regular basis to demonstrate consistency and efficiency.
Answer: JC
Q: What process kills most microorganisms but not necessarily bacterial spores?
Answer: disinfection
Q: What method of destruction is required to destroy prions?
Answer: extended sterilization
Q: What method of destruction is required for bacterial spores?
Answer: sterilization
Q: What method of destruction is required for mycobacteria (tuberculosis)?
Answer: high level disinfection
Q: What level of disinfection is required for nonlipid, small viruses?
Answer: intermediate level disinfection
Q: What is the method of destruction required for fungi?
Answer: intermediate level disinfection
Q: What level of destruction is required for vegetative bacteria?
Answer: low level disinfection
Q: What level of destruction is required for lipid, medium-sized viruses?
Answer: low level disinfection
Q: In order for the disinfectant to enter the cell, there must be a balance between the inside of the cell and the solution outside of the cell that allows for the process of?
Answer: osmosis
Q: This type of disinfectant is a low-level, environmental disinfectant that is effective against gram-positive bacteria.
Answer: Quaternary ammonium compounds
Q: This solution is severely corrosive and should never be used on surgical instruments.
Answer: bleach
Q: What halogen is generally used as a skin antiseptic to reduce the microorganisms on the skin
Answer: iodine
Q: What solution is used to prepare skin before surgery when it is mixed with detergents? It is also used to scrub or clean the skin and wounds.
Answer: idophors
Q: What formulations are staining and, if allowed to pool on the skin, can cause burns?
Answer: iodine
Q: This is a carbolic-acid-based product and it is effective against vegetative bacteria, fungi, and the micobaterium that cause TB:
Answer: phenolocs
Q: This disinfectant should not be used for surgical instrumentation. If items are disinfected with a this product and are allowed to remain in contact with the skin for a prolonged period of time, they can irritate the skin or mucous membranes and depigment
Answer: phenolics
Q: The product is effective antiseptics and sanitizers capable of killing a variety of bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi.
Answer: gluteraldehyde
Q: This high-level disinfectant is used on immersible items such as flexible and rigid endoscopes.
Answer: gluteraldehyde
Q: Although compliance with AAMI standards are not legally required, AAMI standards for sterilization is recognized as what type of practice?
Answer: good practice
Q: What is an established norm determined by opinion, authority, research, and/or theory?
Answer: standard
Q: This type of flow is how people move through the department.
Answer: people flow
Q: A instrument salesmen enters the CSPD area without the proper attire ie. hair covering, shoe covers, and/or scrubs/jumpsuit. What should you do?
Answer: Explain to the sales rep the policy and show him where the proper attire is located.
Q: HIPPA states that all patient information is confidential. Who has the right to confidential patient information?
Answer: The people responsible for providing direct patient care of the patient.
Q: This type of control limits access to the CS/SPD department.
Answer: traffic control
Q: These statements are based on sound principles of practice that are based upon scientific data and opinions of experts.
Answer: recommended practice
Q: American National Standards developed by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) is an example of a?
Answer: standard
Q: These agencies: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and State Health Departments all issue?
Answer: regulations
Q: Although compliance with AAMI standards are not legally required, AAMI standards for sterilization is recognized as what in the CS/SPD?
Answer: good practice
Q: Who regulates all medical devices?
Answer: FDA
Q: These organizations: International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) issue?
Answer: Recommended Practices
Q: Who registers and regulates disinfectants and controls emissions under the Clean Air Act and into Water in the Clean Water Act?
Answer: EPA
Q: What requires medical device manufacturers and distributors to report patient deaths, serious injuries, and serious device malfunctions?
Answer: Medical Device Reporting Regulation
Q: EO, antimicrobial pesticides, disinfectants, sterilants, and sporicides are substances that is used in the CS/SPD and regulated by?
Answer: EPA
Q: Who regulates the reprocessing of single-use devices by health care facilities and third party reprocessors?
Answer: FDA
Q: Who regulates occupational exposure to airborne contaminants, blood borne pathogens, and communication of workplace hazards?
Answer: OSHA
Q: Emergency eye wash stations should have should provide at least how many gallons of water per minute continuously for 15 minutes?
Answer: 0.04
Q: What requires facilities to obtain and make available to employees a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical used in the workplace?
Answer: Hazardous Communications Standard
Q: These devices only touch skin and only come into contact with persons indirectly.
Answer: non-critical
Q: Emergency Eye Wash Stations should permit ____________________ operation, stay-open feature, have the ability to flush both eyes at the same time, be connected to warm not hot water to prevent burns to both eyes.
Answer: hands free
Q: All emergency eye wash stations should be located within how many seconds of travel time of all chemicals used in CS/SPD?
Answer: 10 seconds
Q: Colonoscope, is an example of what type of device?
Answer: semi-critical
Q: What type of fire extinguisher is used on paper or wood fires?
Answer: A-Type
Q: These type of devices touch intact mucous membranes during use and they may be either sterilized or high level disinfected.
Answer: semi-critical
Q: A hospital is only accredited for how many years?
Answer: 3 years
Q: What defines what one must do?
Answer: a policy
Q: These devices can either be cleaned and then disinfected with an intermediate-level disinfectant, sanitized with a low level disinfectant or simply cleaned with soap and water.
Answer: non-critical
Q: This type of fire extinguisher contains water.
Answer: A-type
Q: These devices should be sterilized when used and thus require sterilization between uses.
Answer: critical
Q: What kind of injuries is the most common injury for CS/SPD workers?
Answer: back
Q: When pouring out blood or body fluids to prevent splashes and splattering of the fluids it is mandatory for CS/SPD workers to utilize what?
Answer: PPE’s
Q: When pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy items it is important for all CS/SPD worker to use?
Answer: good body mechanics
Q: The use of PPE’s is required by which agency to prevent the CS/SPD worker from being exposed to blood and body fluids?
Answer: OSHA
Q: This type of fire extinguisher is used on electrical fires.
Answer: B-Type
Q: Loose fitted clothing is not recommended in the CS/SPD because they can get caught on equipment and cause?
Answer: injury
Q: A pacemaker set and a total hysterectomy tray is examples of what type of devices?
Answer: critical
Q: What are not permitted in the CS/SPD because they will not protect your feet from injuries from dropped items?
Answer: opended toe shoes
Q: This type of fire extinguisher can be used on any type of fire.
Answer: ABC type
Q: A blood pressure cuff is an example of what type of device?
Answer: non critical device
Q: Scrubs should be laundered by who?
Answer: hospital
Q: Which type of fire extinguisher contains ammonium phosphate?
Answer: ABC Type
Q: The agency does not recommend the wearing of artificial nails because of the danger of fungal contamination under the nail, which can contaminate packs.
Answer: CDC
Q: The floors in the CS/SPD should be damp mopped when how often when the department is in operation?
Answer: nightly
Q: Who are the customers of the “CSPD”?
Answer: patients and their family, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff
Q: Finger nails should be trimmed to how long?
Answer: 1/4″
Q: Which fire extinguishers contains carbon dioxide?
Answer: B-type
Q: What is not recommended to be worn in the CS/SPD because it can bring contaminants into and out of CS/SPD and can be a safety issue?
Answer: jewlery
Q: Collection of data and identification of issues are part of what type of program?
Answer: quality assurance program
Q: Which agency requires annual competency?
Answer: JC
Q: Which type of training ensures that all CSPD staff are learning the same information in the same manner?
Answer: standardized training
Q: Quality issues can be identified by?
Answer: random audits
Q: What is the proper order of how work progresses through the CSPD?
Answer: Decontam, Prep and pack, sterilizer, sterile storage
Q: This is a principle, rule, or law designed to control or govern behavior. Compliance with is mandatory or required by law
Answer: regulation
Q: What devices are exposed to normally sterile areas of the body?
Answer: critical devices
Q: This system consists of bones and the ligaments and cartilages that bind bones together at their joints.
Answer: skeletal system
Q: What makes up about 1/2 of the body’s bulk
Answer: muscles
Q: What allows for food, nutrients, and wastes to be passed into and out of the cell?
Answer: cell membrane
Q: What is the fundamental unit of life?
Answer: cell
Q: Another word for this layer of skin is subcutaneous layer.
Answer: hypodermis
Q: What receives food and mixes it with gastric juices, begins the digestion of proteins, moves chime into the duodenum, and prevents back flow of chime? Limited absorption takes place here.
Answer: stomach
Q: Which system protects against injury and the introduction of foreign microorganisms or toxins into the body?
Answer: circulatory system
Q: Loose fitted clothing is not recommended in the CS/SPD because they can get caught on equipment and cause?
Answer: injury
Q: A pacemaker set and a total hysterectomy tray is examples of what type of devices?
Answer: critical
Q: What are not permitted in the CS/SPD because they will not protect your feet from injuries from dropped items?
Answer: opended toe shoes
Q: This type of fire extinguisher can be used on any type of fire.
Answer: ABC type
Q: A blood pressure cuff is an example of what type of device?
Answer: non critical device
Q: Scrubs should be laundered by who?
Answer: hospital
Q: Which fire extinguishers contains carbon dioxide?
Answer: B-type
Q: This type of fire extinguisher should never be used on an electrical fire.
Answer: A-type
Q: What is the proper order of how work progresses through the CSPD?
Answer: Decontam, Prep and pack, sterilizer, sterile storage
Q: This is a principle, rule, or law designed to control or govern behavior. Compliance with is mandatory or required by law
Answer: regulation
Q: What devices are exposed to normally sterile areas of the body?
Answer: critical devices
Q: This system consists of bones and the ligaments and cartilages that bind bones together at their joints.
Answer: skeletal system
Q: What makes up about 1/2 of the body’s bulk
Answer: muscles
Q: What allows for food, nutrients, and wastes to be passed into and out of the cell?
Answer: cell membrane
Q: What is the fundamental unit of life?
Answer: cell
Q: Another word for this layer of skin is subcutaneous layer.
Answer: hypodermis
Q: What receives food and mixes it with gastric juices, begins the digestion of proteins, moves chime into the duodenum, and prevents back flow of chime? Limited absorption takes place here.
Answer: stomach
Q: Which system protects against injury and the introduction of foreign microorganisms or toxins into the body?
Answer: circulatory system
Q: What protects the organs of the thorax and the upper abdomen?
Answer: thoracic cage
Q: Which bone supports the tongue and functions in swallowing?
Answer: hyoid
Q: What scope is used to screen for colon cancer?
Answer: colonoscope
Q: What is the pelvis considered?
Answer: irregular bone
Q: This layer of skin is deeper and thicker then the top layer of skin and is consider to be the middle layer of skin. This layer of skin contains nerves and blood supply.
Answer: dermis
Q: Which organ produces bile?
Answer: liver
Q: What is the outer surface of the cell, which protects the cell from physical injury?
Answer: cell wall
Q: Generally the greater amount of ____________, the more rapidly chemical reactions take place.
Answer: heat
Q: What receives the chime from the stomach as well as secretions from the liver and pancreas, chemically and mechanically breaks down the chime, absorbs nutrients, and transports waste to the large intestine by peristalsis?
Answer: small intestine
Q: What forms a protective membrane between the bone and the soft tissue of the central nervous system?
Answer: meninges
Q: Diseases and conditions of the reproduction system include endometriosis, cervical cancer, ovarian cysts, and prostate disease. What medical device below is used during procedures of the reproductive system?
Answer: hysterscope
Q: Understanding of what sciences provides the CS/SPD technician with the knowledge that will help them prioritize instrumentation for scheduled surgeries, recognize how and where the instrumentation is utilized, and become a more rounded and informed memebe
Answer: anatomy and physiology