CER Decontamination and Manual Cleaning Questions and Answers 5

Question 1

Which organization publishes the primary national guideline used in the US for endoscope reprocessing, including manual cleaning standards?

Accepted Answer

SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and AORN jointly

Answer

SGNA and AORN publish widely adopted guidelines for endoscope reprocessing in the US, and adherence to these is considered the standard of care.

Question 2

A detergent manufacturer's IFU specifies a dilution ratio of 1:100. If you are preparing 2 liters of solution, how much detergent concentrate is required?

Accepted Answer

20 mL

Answer

1:100 means 1 part concentrate per 100 parts total solution; 2000 mL ÷ 100 = 20 mL of concentrate.

Question 3

What is the primary risk associated with reprocessing an endoscope that was NOT pre-cleaned at the point of use before transport?

Accepted Answer

Dried bioburden becomes significantly harder to remove, increasing infection risk

Answer

Organic soil dries and bonds to surfaces within minutes of a procedure, creating a protective layer over microorganisms that resists subsequent cleaning and disinfection.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly describes a critical-use endoscope classification under the Spaulding classification scheme?

Accepted Answer

Endoscopes that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and require sterilization

Answer

Under Spaulding's classification, critical items contact sterile tissue or the bloodstream and must be sterilized; semi-critical items (most flexible endoscopes) contact mucous membranes and require minimum high-level disinfection.

Question 5

What should a technician do when the endoscope manufacturer's IFU and the facility's reprocessing policy conflict regarding manual cleaning steps?

Accepted Answer

Always follow the manufacturer's IFU as it takes regulatory precedence

Answer

FDA requires that manufacturer IFUs be followed for medical device reprocessing; the facility policy must align with the IFU, and where there is conflict, the IFU governs.

CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Practice Test

CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Practice Test

CER Decontamination and Manual Cleaning Questions and Answers 5