CSFA Aseptic Technique and Sterilization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive endoscopic equipment?
- Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization (Correct answer)
- Steam autoclave at 132°C
- Dry heat oven at 170°C
- Gravity displacement autoclave
Correct answer: Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization
Ethylene oxide gas sterilization operates at low temperatures, making it ideal for heat-sensitive instruments like endoscopes.
Question 2: When a sterile field becomes wet, what is the correct course of action?
- Cover the wet area with a sterile towel immediately
- Allow the area to air-dry before continuing
- Consider it contaminated and replace the draping (Correct answer)
- Continue if moisture is from a sterile solution
Correct answer: Consider it contaminated and replace the draping
Strike-through contamination occurs when moisture creates a pathway for microorganisms, so any wet sterile field must be considered contaminated.
Question 3: What is the minimum safe distance a non-scrubbed person should maintain from the sterile field?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches (Correct answer)
- 18 inches
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 12 inches
Non-scrubbed personnel must remain at least 12 inches from the sterile field to prevent contamination.
Question 4: Which Spaulding classification category applies to surgical instruments that penetrate sterile tissue?
- Non-critical
- Semi-critical
- Critical (Correct answer)
- Intermediate
Correct answer: Critical
Critical items penetrate sterile tissue or the vascular system and require sterilization, the highest level of microbial destruction.
Question 5: How should a sterile gown be considered if it becomes torn during a procedure?
- Continue if the tear is small and covered by drapes
- Reinforce with a sterile towel and continue
- Change gown immediately as it is contaminated (Correct answer)
- Apply sterile tape over the tear
Correct answer: Change gown immediately as it is contaminated
Any breach in gown integrity compromises the sterile barrier; the gown must be changed immediately.
Question 6: Biological indicators (BIs) used to monitor steam sterilization contain spores of which organism?
- Bacillus anthracis
- Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Correct answer)
- Bacillus atrophaeus
- Clostridium difficile
Correct answer: Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are highly resistant to steam and are the standard BI for monitoring steam sterilization efficacy.
Question 7: During a procedure, a scrubbed team member's glove is punctured. What is the immediate priority?
- Apply a sterile glove over the punctured glove
- Notify the surgeon and change gloves promptly (Correct answer)
- Use the other hand exclusively for the remainder of the case
- Continue if the puncture is on a finger not used for handling instruments
Correct answer: Notify the surgeon and change gloves promptly
A punctured glove must be changed promptly after notifying the surgeon to maintain aseptic technique and patient safety.
CSFA Aseptic Technique and Sterilization 2
Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive endoscopic equipment?