HSPA Biological and Chemical Indicators 2

Question 1

What is the correct incubation time and temperature for steam sterilization biological indicators?

Accepted Answer

As specified by the BI manufacturer, typically 24-48 hours at 55-60 degrees Celsius for conventional BIs, or as fast as 20-60 minutes for rapid-read BIs

Answer

Conventional BIs require 24-48 hours of incubation at 55-60 degrees Celsius (the optimal growth temperature for G. stearothermophilus). Rapid-read BIs use fluorescent enzyme detection to provide results in as little as 20-60 minutes. Always follow the specific manufacturer's instructions for incubation time and temperature.

Question 2

What does a positive biological indicator result after sterilization indicate?

Accepted Answer

The sterilization cycle failed to kill the test spores, indicating a potential sterilization failure that requires immediate investigation

Answer

A positive BI (spore growth detected) indicates that the sterilization cycle did not achieve conditions lethal to the test organisms. This is a potential sterilization failure requiring immediate response: quarantine all items from that load, recall items already distributed if possible, investigate the cause, and do not use the sterilizer until the issue is resolved.

Question 3

What is the purpose of a control biological indicator?

Accepted Answer

To verify that the spore population on the unexposed BI is viable, confirming that a negative test result is meaningful rather than due to non-viable spores

Answer

A control BI from the same lot is incubated without being exposed to sterilization. If the control grows positive (spores are viable), it confirms that the spore population was alive and capable of growth. This validates that a negative result from the processed BI represents actual spore kill, not simply dead spores that were never viable.

Question 4

What is a Class 6 emulating chemical indicator?

Accepted Answer

A cycle-specific indicator designed to react to all critical variables for a specific sterilization cycle type, providing a pass/fail result for that specific cycle

Answer

Class 6 emulating indicators are designed to respond to all critical parameters of one specific type of sterilization cycle. They provide a pass/fail result indicating whether the specific cycle parameters were met. Unlike Class 5 integrators that work across multiple cycle types, Class 6 indicators are cycle-specific and provide the most stringent chemical indicator assessment.

Question 5

Where should an internal chemical indicator be placed within a sterilization pack?

Accepted Answer

In the area most challenging for sterilant to penetrate, typically the geometric center of the pack

Answer

Placing the internal CI in the most challenging location (usually the geometric center of the densest area) provides the greatest assurance that sterilization conditions were achieved throughout the entire pack. If conditions are adequate at the most difficult point, they will be adequate at all easier-to-reach locations.

(HSPA) Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Certification Practice Test

(HSPA) Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Certification Practice Test

HSPA Biological and Chemical Indicators 2