CRCST Equipment Maintenance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'loaner instrument' management require before the set is used in surgery?
- Immediate use after arrival from the vendor
- Decontamination, inspection, and sterilization per facility protocol (Correct answer)
- Sterilization only, since vendors pre-clean them
- Documentation of receipt only
Correct answer: Decontamination, inspection, and sterilization per facility protocol
Loaner instruments must be fully decontaminated, inspected, and sterilized by the receiving facility regardless of the vendor's claims.
Question 2: Which parameter is NOT monitored during a standard steam sterilization cycle?
- Temperature
- Time
- Pressure
- pH of steam condensate (Correct answer)
Correct answer: pH of steam condensate
Steam sterilization cycles monitor temperature, time, and pressure; pH of steam condensate is not a standard cycle parameter.
Question 3: A technician notices a flexible endoscope has discoloration inside the insertion tube. What should be done?
- Proceed with high-level disinfection as normal
- Return the scope to clinical staff for use
- Remove from service and notify biomedical engineering or the manufacturer (Correct answer)
- Rinse with alcohol and reprocess
Correct answer: Remove from service and notify biomedical engineering or the manufacturer
Internal discoloration may indicate damage or contamination that requires expert evaluation before the scope can be safely reprocessed and used.
Question 4: What is the recommended action when a sterilizer load fails a biological indicator (BI) test?
- Re-run the BI; only act if two consecutive tests fail
- Quarantine all items from that load and investigate per protocol (Correct answer)
- Release the load if chemical indicators passed
- Notify only the charge nurse
Correct answer: Quarantine all items from that load and investigate per protocol
A failed BI requires quarantine of all items from the load and a full investigation before any items can be released for use.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign of instrument metal fatigue requiring removal from service?
- Slight discoloration on stainless steel
- Hairline cracks at the jaw or hinge area (Correct answer)
- Minor surface pitting from hard water
- Stiff action requiring lubrication
Correct answer: Hairline cracks at the jaw or hinge area
Hairline cracks at stress points like jaws or hinges indicate metal fatigue and can cause instrument failure during surgery.
Question 6: What is the correct frequency for replacing washer-disinfector detergent and rinse aid according to best practice?
- Replace chemicals only when tanks are completely empty
- Monitor levels daily and replenish per manufacturer specifications (Correct answer)
- Replace weekly regardless of usage
- Replace monthly unless discolored
Correct answer: Monitor levels daily and replenish per manufacturer specifications
Daily monitoring and replenishment per manufacturer specifications ensures consistent chemical concentration for effective cleaning.
Question 7: Which type of sterilization wrap should be rejected during inspection?
- Wrap with a small fold from packaging
- Wrap with holes, tears, or stains (Correct answer)
- Wrap that has been stored for 60 days
- Double-layered wrap
Correct answer: Wrap with holes, tears, or stains
Holes, tears, or stains compromise the microbial barrier of the wrap and the sterility of the contents.
CRCST Equipment Maintenance 3
What does 'loaner instrument' management require before the set is used in surgery?