CER High-Level Disinfection Processes Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor most directly affects the efficacy of glutaraldehyde as a high-level disinfectant?
- Solution pH (Correct answer)
- Room lighting
- Operator glove material
- Brand of endoscope
Correct answer: Solution pH
Glutaraldehyde is most effective at an alkaline pH (7.5–8.5), and deviation from this range significantly reduces its antimicrobial activity.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of leak testing an endoscope before HLD?
- To detect internal channel damage that could harbor pathogens (Correct answer)
- To measure channel diameter
- To verify scope model number
- To check light source compatibility
Correct answer: To detect internal channel damage that could harbor pathogens
Leak testing identifies breaches in the endoscope's protective covering that would allow reprocessing chemicals to damage internal components and harbor pathogens.
Question 3: When using ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for HLD, what is the minimum recommended contact time at 20°C per FDA guidelines?
- 12 minutes (Correct answer)
- 5 minutes
- 20 minutes
- 45 minutes
Correct answer: 12 minutes
The FDA-cleared contact time for OPA (Cidex OPA) at 20°C is 12 minutes to achieve high-level disinfection.
Question 4: A reprocessing technician notices the MEC test strip shows the glutaraldehyde solution is below the minimum effective concentration. What is the correct action?
- Discard the solution and prepare a fresh batch (Correct answer)
- Add more glutaraldehyde concentrate to the existing solution
- Continue using the solution for one more day
- Switch to a shorter soak time to compensate
Correct answer: Discard the solution and prepare a fresh batch
Solutions that fall below the minimum effective concentration (MEC) must be discarded immediately because they cannot reliably achieve high-level disinfection.
Question 5: Which step must occur immediately after removing an endoscope from the HLD solution?
- Thorough rinsing with sterile or filtered water (Correct answer)
- Drying with compressed air only
- Visual inspection under UV light
- Reimmersion in enzymatic cleaner
Correct answer: Thorough rinsing with sterile or filtered water
Thorough rinsing with sterile or filtered water immediately after HLD is essential to remove all chemical residues that could cause patient injury.
Question 6: What type of water is recommended for the final rinse after HLD to prevent recontamination?
- Sterile water or filtered (0.2-micron) water (Correct answer)
- Tap water at any temperature
- Distilled water from any source
- Deionized water without filtration
Correct answer: Sterile water or filtered (0.2-micron) water
Sterile water or water filtered through a 0.2-micron filter is required for the final rinse to prevent recontamination with waterborne microorganisms like Pseudomonas.
Question 7: Which organization's guidelines are considered the primary standard for endoscope reprocessing in the United States?
- SGNA and AORN (Correct answer)
- OSHA only
- EPA only
- CDC alone
Correct answer: SGNA and AORN
SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) provide the primary professional guidelines for endoscope reprocessing in the US.
CER High-Level Disinfection Processes Questions and Answers 3
Which factor most directly affects the efficacy of glutaraldehyde as a high-level disinfectant?