CRCST Safety Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum air pressure relationship required in the decontamination area relative to adjacent clean areas?
- Positive pressure
- Neutral pressure
- Negative pressure (Correct answer)
- Equalized pressure
Correct answer: Negative pressure
Decontamination areas must maintain negative air pressure so contaminated air flows inward and does not migrate to clean or sterile areas.
Question 2: Which type of glove provides the best cut resistance when processing sharps in the decontamination area?
- Latex surgical gloves
- Nitrile examination gloves
- Puncture-resistant utility gloves (Correct answer)
- Polyethylene food-service gloves
Correct answer: Puncture-resistant utility gloves
Puncture-resistant utility gloves (such as stainless-steel mesh or heavy-duty nitrile) are required for handling sharps during decontamination to reduce cut injuries.
Question 3: According to ANSI/AAMI ST79, what is the recommended minimum number of air exchanges per hour in the decontamination area?
- 6 air changes per hour
- 10 air changes per hour (Correct answer)
- 15 air changes per hour
- 20 air changes per hour
Correct answer: 10 air changes per hour
ANSI/AAMI ST79 recommends a minimum of 10 air changes per hour in the decontamination area to dilute airborne contaminants.
Question 4: A CS technician notices a chemical spill of a high-level disinfectant. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Dilute the spill with water immediately
- Alert coworkers and don appropriate PPE before approaching (Correct answer)
- Absorb the spill with paper towels bare-handed
- Call the hazmat team and leave the building
Correct answer: Alert coworkers and don appropriate PPE before approaching
The first priority is personal safety — alert others and don appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, gown) before approaching any chemical spill.
Question 5: Which label system uses pictograms and a 1–4 hazard rating on a diamond-shaped label for chemical hazards?
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard labels
- NFPA 704 diamond (Correct answer)
- GHS pictogram labels
- DOT placard system
Correct answer: NFPA 704 diamond
The NFPA 704 system uses a four-colored diamond with numerical ratings (0–4) for health, flammability, instability, and special hazards.
Question 6: Which practice helps prevent musculoskeletal injury when lifting heavy instrument trays?
- Bending at the waist to keep the load close
- Using leg muscles and keeping the back straight (Correct answer)
- Twisting the torso to redirect the load
- Holding the tray at arm's length for balance
Correct answer: Using leg muscles and keeping the back straight
Proper lifting technique requires bending the knees, using leg muscles, and keeping the spine in a neutral position to protect the back.
Question 7: What should a CS technician do with a cracked or damaged sterilization container before sterilization?
- Reinforce it with autoclave tape and proceed
- Remove it from service and report it for repair or replacement (Correct answer)
- Use it only for flash sterilization cycles
- Line it with a sterilization wrap before use
Correct answer: Remove it from service and report it for repair or replacement
Cracked or damaged rigid containers must be removed from service immediately because structural defects compromise sterility maintenance and can cause injury.
CRCST Safety Standards 3
What is the minimum air pressure relationship required in the decontamination area relative to adjacent clean areas?