CIS Quality Assurance Systems Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of conducting a risk assessment in sterile processing?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential hazards and implement controls to minimize patient and staff risk

Answer

To calculate the annual budget

Answer

To determine which instruments to purchase

Answer

To assign staff schedules

Question 2

What is the difference between a process indicator and a sterility indicator?

Accepted Answer

A process indicator shows exposure to sterilization parameters while no chemical indicator can prove sterility — only BIs can

Answer

They are the same thing

Answer

A sterility indicator is more accurate

Answer

Process indicators are for steam, sterility indicators for ETO

Question 3

What is the significance of wet pack events in quality assurance tracking?

Accepted Answer

Wet packs indicate moisture that compromises the sterile barrier and must be documented and investigated

Answer

Wet packs are normal and need no documentation

Answer

Wet packs only occur with new sterilizers

Answer

Wet packs can be towel-dried and used

Question 4

How does an instrument tracking system contribute to quality assurance?

Accepted Answer

Provides cradle-to-grave traceability linking instruments to patients, sterilization cycles, and reprocessing history

Answer

Only helps with inventory management

Answer

Replaces chemical and biological indicators

Answer

Only useful for expensive instruments

Question 5

What is the purpose of conducting internal audits in a sterile processing department?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate compliance with policies, procedures, and standards and identify improvement opportunities

Answer

To find reasons to discipline staff

Answer

Only to prepare for external inspections

Answer

To reduce the operating budget

Question 6

What is the role of manufacturer IFUs in quality assurance?

Accepted Answer

Legally binding documents defining validated reprocessing parameters that must be strictly followed

Answer

Suggestions that can be adapted freely

Answer

Only apply during the warranty period

Answer

Replace department SOPs