Principles and Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real CER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Principles and Maintenance flashcards as text
Which parameter is most critical to monitor during automated endoscope reprocessing (AER) to ensure consistent disinfection?
Answer: Cycle time, temperature, and chemical concentration together
AER efficacy depends on simultaneous control of cycle time, temperature, and disinfectant concentration as validated during machine qualification.
What is the purpose of leak testing an endoscope before immersion in liquid detergent?
Answer: To detect breaches in the endoscope's protective sheath that could allow fluid ingress
Leak testing identifies compromised seals or perforations before immersion so that fluid does not enter internal channels and cause irreparable damage.
High-level disinfection (HLD) of flexible endoscopes is sufficient rather than sterilization because:
Answer: Heat-sensitive materials cannot withstand sterilization cycles and HLD eliminates all pathogens except high numbers of bacterial spores
Semi-critical devices like endoscopes require HLD because they contact mucous membranes, and HLD kills all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores, which pose minimal risk to intact membranes.
When should the minimum effective concentration (MEC) of a high-level disinfectant be tested?
Answer: Before each day of use or per manufacturer instructions
MEC testing before each day of use ensures the disinfectant remains potent enough to achieve HLD throughout the workday.
Which type of water is recommended for the final rinse step after high-level disinfection of endoscopes?
Answer: Sterile water, filtered water, or water meeting specific microbiological standards
Sterile or microbiologically controlled water prevents recontamination of the endoscope from waterborne organisms like Pseudomonas during the final rinse.
During manual cleaning of an endoscope, brushing of instrument channels should continue until:
Answer: The brush emerges clean on both ends, indicating debris has been removed
Visual inspection of the brush emerging clean from both ends confirms that gross debris has been mechanically removed, which is essential before disinfection.
What does 'shelf life' refer to in the context of high-level disinfectants?
Answer: The number of endoscope cycles an activated solution can support while remaining above MEC
Shelf life (or use life) refers to the maximum number of days or cycles an activated HLD solution can be used while maintaining concentration above the MEC.