AORN Sterilization 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which action is taken when a biological indicator returns a positive result after a routine sterilization cycle?
- Continue using items if chemical indicators passed
- Quarantine all items from that load and recall items already used (Correct answer)
- Repeat the cycle and retest before releasing any items
- Notify the surgeon but continue scheduled surgeries
Correct answer: Quarantine all items from that load and recall items already used
A positive BI result requires immediate quarantine of all items from the implicated load and recall of any items already distributed or implanted.
Question 2: What is the correct orientation for packages containing basins or bowls in a steam sterilizer?
- Upright with the open end facing up
- Inverted with the open end facing down (Correct answer)
- Horizontally on their sides
- Any position since steam penetrates all surfaces equally
Correct answer: Inverted with the open end facing down
Basins should be inverted or tilted to prevent water condensate from pooling inside, which could compromise sterility.
Question 3: Which parameter is NOT a critical variable in hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization?
- Chamber pressure
- H2O2 concentration
- Exposure time
- Humidity level inside the chamber (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Humidity level inside the chamber
Unlike steam sterilization, H2O2 plasma processes require low moisture content — humidity in the chamber is controlled and minimized, not a variable affecting efficacy.
Question 4: When sterilizing implants, AORN recommends that biological indicator results be:
- Reviewed within 48 hours post-implantation
- Confirmed negative before the implant is released for use (Correct answer)
- Read at 3 hours for rapid-readout BI systems
- Documented weekly in aggregate reports
Correct answer: Confirmed negative before the implant is released for use
AORN and AAMI standards require that implants be quarantined until BI results confirm sterilization was achieved before release.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of cleaning instruments BEFORE sterilization?
- To remove surface rust and improve instrument longevity
- To eliminate bioburden that can shield microorganisms from the sterilant (Correct answer)
- To meet Joint Commission aesthetic standards
- To reduce packaging time by removing debris
Correct answer: To eliminate bioburden that can shield microorganisms from the sterilant
Organic soil and debris create a physical barrier that prevents the sterilant from contacting microorganisms, making cleaning the most critical pre-sterilization step.
Question 6: Which packaging material is compatible with steam but NOT recommended for hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization?
- Nonwoven polypropylene wrap
- Tyvek pouches
- Cellulose-based materials (paper/muslin) (Correct answer)
- Rigid sterilization containers with plasma-compatible filters
Correct answer: Cellulose-based materials (paper/muslin)
Cellulose-based materials absorb hydrogen peroxide, disrupting the plasma cycle and are therefore incompatible with H2O2 plasma sterilization.
Question 7: A surgical technologist notices wet packs after a steam sterilization cycle. What is the correct response?
- Allow packs to air-dry and consider them sterile if chemical indicators passed
- Place packs under a heat lamp to accelerate drying
- Reject the entire load as non-sterile and investigate the cause (Correct answer)
- Only reject packs with visible moisture on the outer wrap
Correct answer: Reject the entire load as non-sterile and investigate the cause
Wet packs are considered compromised because moisture creates a pathway for microorganism migration through the packaging material, invalidating sterility.
AORN Sterilization 3
Which action is taken when a biological indicator returns a positive result after a routine sterilization cycle?