Certified Surgical Technologist Aseptic Technique and Sterilization 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During sterilizer load configuration, heavy instrument sets should be placed:
- On top of lighter items
- On the bottom shelf of the sterilizer (Correct answer)
- Interspersed randomly throughout the load
- Horizontally on the top shelf
Correct answer: On the bottom shelf of the sterilizer
Heavy instrument sets belong on the bottom shelf to allow condensate to drain away and steam to penetrate properly without damaging lighter items.
Question 2: What is the correct order for surgical gowning when using the closed-glove technique?
- Glove first, then gown
- Gown first, keeping hands inside sleeves, then glove (Correct answer)
- Gown and glove simultaneously with assistance
- Scrub hands after gowning before gloving
Correct answer: Gown first, keeping hands inside sleeves, then glove
In the closed-glove technique, the gown is donned first with hands kept inside the sleeves, and gloves are then applied without exposing bare hands.
Question 3: Which agent is classified as a high-level disinfectant (HLD) and used for heat-sensitive semi-critical items?
- Isopropyl alcohol 70%
- Glutaraldehyde 2% (Correct answer)
- Chlorhexidine gluconate 4%
- Povidone-iodine 10%
Correct answer: Glutaraldehyde 2%
Glutaraldehyde 2% is a high-level disinfectant used for semi-critical items that cannot withstand heat sterilization.
Question 4: The Bowie-Dick test is performed to verify that a sterilizer:
- Has reached the correct biological kill time
- Is free of air pockets that impede steam penetration (Correct answer)
- Maintains correct temperature throughout the full cycle
- Has functioning mechanical gauges and printouts
Correct answer: Is free of air pockets that impede steam penetration
The Bowie-Dick test specifically verifies that the pre-vacuum sterilizer adequately removes air, allowing uniform steam penetration.
Question 5: When a scrub technologist needs to reposition at the sterile field, they should pass another sterile team member by:
- Passing back-to-back (Correct answer)
- Passing front-to-front
- Stepping around the non-sterile side
- Asking the circulator to rearrange the field
Correct answer: Passing back-to-back
Sterile team members pass back-to-back or front-to-front (facing) to avoid contaminating each other's sterile fronts.
Question 6: Which item is considered the MOST critical item requiring sterilization (per Spaulding Classification)?
- Blood pressure cuff
- Flexible sigmoidoscope
- Surgical instruments entering sterile tissue (Correct answer)
- Laryngoscope blade
Correct answer: Surgical instruments entering sterile tissue
Per the Spaulding Classification, critical items are those that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and must be sterilized.
Question 7: What is the recommended temperature range for storing sterile supplies to maintain package integrity?
- 50–60°F (10–15°C)
- 64–75°F (18–24°C) (Correct answer)
- 78–85°F (26–29°C)
- 86–90°F (30–32°C)
Correct answer: 64–75°F (18–24°C)
Sterile supplies should be stored between 64–75°F (18–24°C) to prevent condensation and packaging degradation.
Certified Surgical Technologist Aseptic Technique and Sterilization 4
During sterilizer load configuration, heavy instrument sets should be placed: