CER Principles and Maintenance Questions and Answers 5

Question 1

What is the consequence of exposing an endoscope to a disinfectant solution below the MRC?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate microbial kill, creating a risk of transmitting infection between patients

Answer

Below-MRC disinfectant cannot reliably achieve high-level disinfection, creating a direct risk of organism transmission to subsequent patients.

Question 2

When transporting a used endoscope from the procedure room to the reprocessing area, the scope must be:

Accepted Answer

Placed in a closed, puncture-resistant, leak-proof container labeled as a biohazard

Answer

Biohazard-labeled, closed containers prevent cross-contamination and protect staff during transport of potentially infectious equipment.

Question 3

Which step must be completed before immersing an endoscope in high-level disinfectant for the first time in a reprocessing cycle?

Accepted Answer

Performing a leak test to confirm the scope is structurally intact

Answer

Leak testing must occur before HLD immersion to prevent reprocessing chemicals from entering a damaged scope and causing irreparable internal damage.

Question 4

What is the purpose of flushing endoscope channels with 70% isopropyl alcohol at the end of the reprocessing cycle?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate drying by displacing residual water from internal channels

Answer

Alcohol displaces residual water from internal channels, promoting rapid drying and inhibiting microbial growth during storage.

Question 5

Which practice is required when testing a high-level disinfectant solution with chemical test strips?

Accepted Answer

Testing before each use per manufacturer instructions, recording results, and discarding below-MRC solution

Answer

Consistent pre-use testing with documentation ensures the disinfectant maintains effective concentration and provides an auditable quality record.

CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Practice Test