CRCST Microbiology and Infection Control Flashcards
6 cards from real CRCST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CRCST Microbiology and Infection Control flashcards as text
What is a prion, and why is it significant in central service?
Answer: An abnormal protein associated with diseases like CJD that is extremely resistant to standard sterilization
Prions are misfolded proteins associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) that resist standard sterilization methods and require special reprocessing protocols for instruments used on at-risk patients.
What does 'HAI' stand for, and how does CS prevent it?
Answer: Healthcare-Associated Infection; CS prevents HAIs by ensuring instruments are properly sterilized before use
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections acquired in healthcare settings; CS technicians prevent HAIs by properly decontaminating, packaging, and sterilizing instruments.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling contaminated instruments in the decontamination area?
Answer: Puncture-resistant gloves, fluid-resistant gown, eye protection, and face mask
The decontamination area requires full PPE including puncture-resistant gloves, fluid-resistant gown, eye protection, and face mask to protect against bloodborne and other pathogens.
What is the significance of 'D-value' in sterilization science?
Answer: The time required to reduce a microbial population by 90% under specific conditions
D-value (decimal reduction time) is the time needed to kill 90% of a microbial population at a specific temperature, used to calculate sterilization cycle parameters.
Why must CS technicians wash their hands even after removing gloves?
Answer: Gloves can have undetected holes and hands may be contaminated during glove removal
Gloves can develop micro-tears during use or become contaminated during removal, making hand hygiene after glove removal essential to prevent pathogen transfer.
Which type of disinfectant is classified as a 'high-level disinfectant' commonly used for endoscope reprocessing?
Answer: Glutaraldehyde 2%
2% glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant used for reprocessing heat-sensitive semi-critical devices such as flexible endoscopes when sterilization is not feasible.