HSPA - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Decontamination and Cleaning Processes Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the primary reason that biofilm on a surgical instrument poses a significant risk to patient safety?

Accepted Answer

It protects microorganisms from cleaning agents, disinfectants, and sterilants.

Answer

It causes discoloration and pitting on the instrument's surface.

Answer

It can interfere with the proper articulation of hinged instruments.

Answer

It adds significant weight to instruments, affecting a surgeon's handling.

Question 2

A surgical case has just concluded. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for the scrub person to take with the contaminated instruments at the point of use?

Accepted Answer

Wipe gross soil from the instruments with a sponge moistened with sterile water.

Answer

Submerge the instruments in a basin of saline solution to prevent drying.

Answer

Send all instruments to the decontamination area immediately without any treatment.

Answer

Apply a chemical disinfectant spray to all instruments on the back table.

Question 3

The cleaning process in an ultrasonic cleaner that uses high-frequency sound waves to create and implode microscopic bubbles is known as:

Accepted Answer

Cavitation

Answer

Impingement

Answer

Chelation

Answer

Emulsification

Question 4

A sterile processing technician is selecting an enzymatic detergent to clean orthopedic instruments used in a knee replacement, which are heavily soiled with blood, tissue, and fatty marrow. Which type of enzyme would be most effective at breaking down the fatty deposits?

Accepted Answer

Lipase

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Protease

Answer

Cellulase

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary phase of a typical automated washer-disinfector cycle?

Accepted Answer

Sterilization

Answer

Pre-rinse

Answer

Detergent wash

Answer

Thermal rinse

Question 6

A technician in the decontamination area accidentally splashes a high-level disinfectant containing ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) into their eyes. What is the most critical and immediate action the technician must take?

Accepted Answer

Immediately go to an eyewash station and flush the eyes for at least 15 minutes.

Answer

Locate the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the chemical.

Answer

Report the incident to their direct supervisor.

Answer

Wipe their eyes with a clean, dry cloth.