Sterilization Methods Flashcards
7 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 7 Sterilization Methods flashcards as text
Which load configuration factor is most critical to ensuring adequate steam penetration in a sterilizer?
Answer: Items placed flat with sufficient spacing to allow steam circulation
Proper spacing between items is critical to allow steam to circulate and contact all surfaces, ensuring adequate penetration throughout the load.
A CSST technician notices that the sterilizer chart recorder shows a temperature drop below the set point midway through a cycle. What is the correct action?
Answer: Quarantine the load and report the malfunction for investigation
A temperature drop below set point indicates a cycle failure; the load must be quarantined and the equipment malfunction investigated before reuse.
What is the primary advantage of prevacuum (dynamic air removal) steam sterilization over gravity displacement?
Answer: Faster and more reliable air removal for complex and porous loads
Prevacuum cycles use mechanical pumping to rapidly and reliably remove air, enabling faster and more complete steam penetration into complex and porous items.
Sterilization of liquid media in sealed glass ampules is CONTRAINDICATED with steam because:
Answer: Sealed containers prevent steam penetration and can explode from pressure buildup
Sealed glass containers prevent steam from penetrating to sterilize contents and can rupture or explode due to pressure differentials during the cycle.
Which document must be completed and retained for every sterilization load per AAMI standards?
Answer: Load record including load number, cycle parameters, operator ID, and CI results
AAMI ST79 requires that a load record documenting load number, cycle parameters, operator identification, and chemical indicator results be maintained for traceability.
Superheated steam in a sterilizer is problematic because it behaves more like:
Answer: Dry heat, reducing moisture needed for protein coagulation
Superheated steam lacks sufficient moisture for effective protein coagulation and behaves like dry heat, making it far less effective as a sterilant.
Which factor most directly determines the required exposure time in a steam sterilization cycle?
Answer: The sterilization temperature selected
Sterilization temperature and time have an inverse relationship — higher temperatures allow shorter exposure times because microbial destruction is accelerated.