CRCST Equipment Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lubricant type is recommended for most surgical instrument box locks during maintenance?
- WD-40 spray
- Water-soluble instrument lubricant (Correct answer)
- Petroleum-based oil
- Silicone grease
Correct answer: Water-soluble instrument lubricant
Water-soluble instrument lubricants are compatible with sterilization processes and do not leave residues that interfere with steam penetration.
Question 2: A power drill used in the OR is returned with a cracked housing. What is the correct first step?
- Clean and sterilize the drill as usual
- Remove it from service and tag it for repair (Correct answer)
- Apply tape to the crack and continue use
- Notify the surgeon only
Correct answer: Remove it from service and tag it for repair
Damaged equipment must be removed from service immediately and tagged out-of-service to prevent patient harm until repaired.
Question 3: What is the purpose of annual preventive maintenance (PM) on sterilizers?
- To satisfy accreditation documentation only
- To identify and correct potential failures before they occur (Correct answer)
- To reset the sterilizer's cycle counter
- To train new staff on sterilizer operation
Correct answer: To identify and correct potential failures before they occur
Preventive maintenance identifies worn or failing components before they cause sterilization failures or equipment breakdowns.
Question 4: Which test verifies that a steam sterilizer is removing air effectively from the chamber?
- Bowie-Dick test (Correct answer)
- Spore test
- Chemical integrator
- pH strip test
Correct answer: Bowie-Dick test
The Bowie-Dick test detects air leaks and inadequate air removal in pre-vacuum steam sterilizers, which is essential for steam penetration.
Question 5: A rigid sterilization container is returned with a cracked latch. What action should the CS technician take?
- Use the container if the lid still closes
- Retire the container from service and document the damage (Correct answer)
- Repair the latch with adhesive and reuse
- Use the container for dry goods only
Correct answer: Retire the container from service and document the damage
Cracked or broken container components compromise the sterility barrier and the container must be removed from service.
Question 6: How often should washer-disinfector spray arm nozzles be inspected and cleaned?
- Annually only
- Per manufacturer's IFU and facility policy, typically daily or weekly (Correct answer)
- Only when a cycle fails
- Every six months
Correct answer: Per manufacturer's IFU and facility policy, typically daily or weekly
Clogged spray arm nozzles reduce cleaning efficacy; inspection frequency should follow manufacturer instructions and facility policy.
Question 7: Which document provides the most authoritative guidance on maintaining a specific surgical instrument?
- OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard
- Manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU) (Correct answer)
- The Joint Commission accreditation manual
- State health department regulations
Correct answer: Manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU)
The manufacturer's IFU contains validated cleaning, maintenance, and sterilization instructions specific to each device.
CRCST Equipment Maintenance 2
Which lubricant type is recommended for most surgical instrument box locks during maintenance?