CER High-Level Disinfection Processes Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A facility switches from glutaraldehyde to OPA. Which patient population requires special precaution with OPA due to risk of hypersensitivity?
- Patients with bladder cancer treated with BCG therapy (Correct answer)
- Patients with latex allergy
- Patients with diabetes
- Patients over 65 years old
Correct answer: Patients with bladder cancer treated with BCG therapy
OPA has been associated with severe anaphylactic reactions in bladder cancer patients who have received multiple BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guérin) instillation treatments.
Question 2: What is the maximum reuse life (in days) typically stated on glutaraldehyde product labels for a 2.4–2.65% activated solution?
- 14 days (Correct answer)
- 7 days
- 28 days
- 30 days
Correct answer: 14 days
Most activated glutaraldehyde products (e.g., Cidex) are labeled for a maximum of 14 days reuse life, provided MEC testing confirms adequate concentration throughout.
Question 3: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is specifically required when handling glutaraldehyde or OPA?
- Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and liquid-resistant gown (Correct answer)
- Standard vinyl exam gloves only
- N95 respirator only
- Face shield without gloves
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and liquid-resistant gown
Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or thicker), splash-proof eye protection, and a liquid-resistant gown are required when handling HLD chemicals to prevent skin, eye, and respiratory exposure.
Question 4: If an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) cycle is interrupted before completion, what must be done?
- The scope must be manually reprocessed from the beginning (Correct answer)
- The scope can be used if more than half the cycle completed
- The scope must be re-run starting from the rinse phase only
- The AER cycle can be resumed from the interruption point
Correct answer: The scope must be manually reprocessed from the beginning
An incomplete AER cycle invalidates the reprocessing; the entire manual or automated process must restart from the cleaning step to ensure patient safety.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct order for manual high-level disinfection of a flexible endoscope?
- Precleaning → leak test → manual cleaning → HLD soak → rinse → dry → store (Correct answer)
- Leak test → precleaning → HLD soak → manual cleaning → rinse → dry → store
- Manual cleaning → precleaning → leak test → HLD soak → rinse → store
- HLD soak → manual cleaning → precleaning → rinse → dry → store
Correct answer: Precleaning → leak test → manual cleaning → HLD soak → rinse → dry → store
The validated sequence begins with point-of-use precleaning, followed by leak testing, manual cleaning, HLD soak, rinsing, drying, and then proper storage.
Question 6: What is the significance of maintaining adequate ventilation (minimum 10 ACH) in an endoscope reprocessing room?
- To reduce staff exposure to toxic chemical vapors from HLD agents (Correct answer)
- To maintain a sterile field during scope disinfection
- To cool the AER machines
- To prevent condensation on scope storage cabinets
Correct answer: To reduce staff exposure to toxic chemical vapors from HLD agents
HLD chemicals like glutaraldehyde release toxic fumes; OSHA and AORN require a minimum of 10 air changes per hour in reprocessing rooms to protect staff from vapor inhalation.
Question 7: A colonoscope is visually clean after manual cleaning but cannot be submerged in HLD due to a failed leak test. What is the appropriate next step?
- Remove the scope from service and send it for repair (Correct answer)
- Proceed with HLD using extra-long contact time
- Use low-level disinfection as an alternative
- Rinse with sterile water and place in storage
Correct answer: Remove the scope from service and send it for repair
A scope that fails leak testing must be removed from service immediately and sent for manufacturer repair before it can be safely reprocessed and used on patients.
CER High-Level Disinfection Processes Questions and Answers 5
A facility switches from glutaraldehyde to OPA.
Which patient population requires special precaution with OPA due to risk of hypersensitivity?