Sterilization and Infection Control Flashcards
7 cards from real CABT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sterilization and Infection Control flashcards as text
Gamma radiation sterilization is most commonly applied to which category of medical products?
Answer: Single-use plastic devices and pre-packaged sterile products
Gamma radiation is widely used by manufacturers for terminal sterilization of single-use plastic devices and packaged sterile products because it penetrates packaging without heat damage.
In the Spaulding Classification System, a flexible endoscope that contacts mucous membranes is designated as a:
Answer: Semi-critical item requiring at minimum high-level disinfection
Flexible endoscopes contact mucous membranes and are classified as semi-critical items, requiring at minimum high-level disinfection between patients.
Which low-temperature sterilization technology is commonly used in hospitals for heat-sensitive devices such as certain flexible endoscopes and electronic components?
Answer: Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization
Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization operates at approximately 50°C, making it suitable for heat-sensitive devices such as certain scopes and electronic equipment.
A biomedical technician finds that a biological indicator from a sterilization load has returned a positive result. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
Answer: Recall all items from that load and report the failure to the infection control team
A positive biological indicator signals sterilization failure; all items from the affected load must be recalled and quarantined, and the event reported to infection control for investigation.
Which organization publishes ANSI/AAMI ST79, the comprehensive guideline for steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities?
Answer: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) publishes ANSI/AAMI ST79, the primary U.S. guideline for steam sterilization practices in healthcare facilities.
What minimum PPE combination is required when manually decontaminating soiled surgical instruments in a central sterile department?
Answer: Utility gloves, fluid-resistant gown, surgical mask, and eye protection
Manual decontamination requires utility gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, a mask, and eye protection to protect workers from bloodborne pathogen exposure and chemical splashes.
The principle of event-related sterility asserts that a sterilized package:
Answer: Remains sterile as long as packaging integrity is maintained, regardless of elapsed time
Event-related sterility holds that a package remains sterile indefinitely as long as its integrity is preserved; sterility is compromised by events (damage, moisture, contamination), not time.