CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist Decontamination and Cleaning Processes Questions and Answers

Question 1

A tray of soiled surgical instruments from an orthopedic case arrives in the decontamination area.
The point-of-use treatment was properly initiated.
What is the critical first step that must be taken in the decontamination area before mechanical cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Manual cleaning to remove all visible soil.

Answer

Application of an instrument lubricant to prevent rusting.

Answer

Sorting and immediate placement into the ultrasonic cleaner.

Answer

Rinsing with hot water to remove gross contaminants.

Question 2

Which of the following chemical agents is specifically designed to break down blood, fat, and protein-based soils on surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Enzymatic detergent

Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Saline solution

Answer

Alcohol-based sanitizer

Question 3

The process of cavitation, which is critical for cleaning intricate and hard-to-reach areas of surgical instruments, occurs in which piece of decontamination equipment?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic cleaner

Answer

Cart washer

Answer

Steam sterilizer (autoclave)

Answer

Washer-disinfector

Question 4

A new technician is manually cleaning instruments and uses hot water for the initial rinse. Why is this incorrect and what is the potential consequence?

Accepted Answer

Hot water will coagulate protein-based soils, making them harder to remove.

Answer

Hot water can damage the finish on stainless steel instruments.

Answer

Hot water is less effective at removing saline than cold water.

Answer

Hot water can prematurely activate the disinfectant in the detergent.

Question 5

When operating an automated washer-disinfector, which of the following is NOT considered one of the four main parameters critical for a successful cleaning cycle?

Accepted Answer

Water Hardness

Answer

Time

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Impingement

Question 6

The initial step of the instrument decontamination process, which involves removing gross soil immediately after the surgical procedure, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Point-of-use (POU) treatment

Answer

Terminal sterilization

Answer

Manual scrubbing

Answer

Ultrasonic cavitation

A tray of soiled surgical instruments from an orthopedic case arrives in the decontamination area.The point-of-use treatment was properly initiated.What is the critical first step that must be taken in the decontamination area before mechanical cleaning?

A tray of soiled surgical instruments from an orthopedic case arrives in the decontamination area.
The point-of-use treatment was properly initiated.
What is the critical first step that must be taken in the decontamination area before mechanical cleaning?