CRCST Evaluation Summary 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a post-sterilization evaluation, a CS technician finds that a biological indicator (BI) test vial has turned yellow. What does this result indicate?
- Sterilization was successful and all spores were killed
- The sterilization process failed and the load must be recalled (Correct answer)
- The chemical indicator confirmed adequate steam penetration
- The BI requires an additional 24-hour incubation period
Correct answer: The sterilization process failed and the load must be recalled
A yellow color change in a BI vial (positive result) indicates spore growth, meaning sterilization failed and the load must be recalled.
Question 2: Which document is most essential for tracking a specific instrument set through the entire sterilization process for traceability?
- Manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU)
- Sterilization load record or log (Correct answer)
- Employee training certificate
- Biological indicator control record
Correct answer: Sterilization load record or log
The sterilization load record documents cycle parameters, load contents, and BI results, enabling full traceability of each instrument set.
Question 3: A CS technician is evaluating wrapped instrument trays after steam sterilization and notices the external chemical indicator (CI) has not changed color. What is the correct action?
- Release the tray if the BI is negative
- Use the tray since the CI is only a secondary check
- Do not release the tray and investigate the sterilizer (Correct answer)
- Rewrap the tray and re-sterilize immediately
Correct answer: Do not release the tray and investigate the sterilizer
An unchanged external CI means the package may not have been exposed to proper sterilization conditions; the load should be withheld and the sterilizer investigated.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of conducting a Bowie-Dick test in a pre-vacuum steam sterilizer?
- To verify the sterility of the instrument load
- To test the sterilizer's air removal and steam penetration capability (Correct answer)
- To confirm that biological indicators are functioning correctly
- To measure the internal temperature of the sterilizer chamber
Correct answer: To test the sterilizer's air removal and steam penetration capability
The Bowie-Dick test evaluates the sterilizer's ability to remove air and allow uniform steam penetration, not instrument sterility.
Question 5: After completing a sterilization cycle, the printout shows the temperature reached 270°F (132°C) but the exposure time was only 2 minutes for a gravity cycle. How should the CS technician evaluate this load?
- Release the load because the correct temperature was achieved
- Reject the load because the exposure time was insufficient for a gravity cycle (Correct answer)
- Release the load if the external CI changed color
- Consult the manufacturer's IFU for every item in the load
Correct answer: Reject the load because the exposure time was insufficient for a gravity cycle
Gravity displacement cycles at 132°C require a minimum of 4 minutes exposure time; 2 minutes is insufficient and the load must be rejected.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the role of an internal chemical indicator (CI) placed inside an instrument set?
- It verifies that all microorganisms in the set were killed
- It confirms that sterilization conditions reached the interior of the pack (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for a biological indicator test
- It measures the humidity level inside the sterilizer chamber
Correct answer: It confirms that sterilization conditions reached the interior of the pack
An internal CI confirms that sterilizing conditions (steam, heat, or gas) penetrated to the inside of the pack, but does not confirm sterility.
Question 7: When evaluating sterile storage conditions, which environmental factor must be monitored to ensure package integrity is maintained?
- Ambient noise levels in the storage area
- Temperature and relative humidity levels (Correct answer)
- Lighting intensity in the storage room
- Number of staff accessing the storage area per shift
Correct answer: Temperature and relative humidity levels
Temperature and relative humidity must be controlled in sterile storage to prevent condensation and package degradation that could compromise sterility.
CRCST Evaluation Summary 2
During a post-sterilization evaluation, a CS technician finds that a biological indicator (BI) test vial has turned yellow.
What does this result indicate?