HSPA Decontamination and Cleaning Processes 2

Question 1

What is the first step in decontamination for soiled surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Point-of-use pre-treatment to prevent bioburden from drying

Answer

Ultrasonic cleaning

Answer

Manual scrubbing with a brush

Answer

Placing instruments directly into the washer-disinfector

Question 2

What minimum water temperature is typically required for thermal disinfection in a washer-disinfector?

Accepted Answer

180°F (82°C)

Answer

140°F (60°C)

Answer

160°F (71°C)

Answer

212°F (100°C)

Question 3

Why must aluminum instruments be segregated during decontamination?

Accepted Answer

Alkaline detergents can cause corrosion and discoloration of aluminum

Answer

They are too lightweight for standard racks

Answer

They require higher sterilization temperatures

Answer

Aluminum is incompatible with ultrasonic cleaning

Question 4

What is the purpose of the lubrication step (milk bath) in instrument processing?

Accepted Answer

To protect moving parts and prevent corrosion with a water-soluble lubricant

Answer

To sterilize instrument joints

Answer

To remove stubborn bioburden from box locks

Answer

To add a protective color coating

Question 5

What determines the minimum exposure time for manual cleaning with enzymatic detergent?

Accepted Answer

The time specified by the detergent manufacturer's IFU

Answer

30 seconds

Answer

Exactly 5 minutes regardless of product

Answer

No minimum time is required

Question 6

What type of water should be used for the final rinse in instrument reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

Critical water meeting AAMI quality standards

Answer

Tap water

Answer

Distilled or deionized water

Answer

Any available clean water