HSPA Water Quality in Sterile Processing

Question 1

According to AAMI standards, what type of water should be used for the final rinse of surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Critical water (deionized, distilled, or reverse osmosis)

Answer

AAMI standards require critical water (deionized, distilled, or RO) for the final instrument rinse to prevent mineral deposits and chemical residue that could interfere with sterilization.

Question 2

What is the primary concern with using tap water for the final rinse of surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Tap water contains minerals and chemicals that can leave deposits on instruments

Answer

Tap water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, plus treatment chemicals like chlorine, which can leave deposits and residue that interfere with sterilization efficacy.

Question 3

What does the term 'critical water' refer to in sterile processing?

Accepted Answer

Water meeting specific purity standards (low conductivity, low endotoxins) used in final rinse steps

Answer

Critical water refers to highly purified water meeting defined purity parameters—low conductivity and endotoxin levels—used in the final rinse stage of instrument reprocessing.

Question 4

What is the maximum conductivity level recommended by AAMI ST108 for critical water used in instrument reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

15 µS/cm

Answer

AAMI ST108 recommends critical water with conductivity ≤15 µS/cm to ensure minimal dissolved ionic solids that could contaminate or spot instruments.

Question 5

Which process removes dissolved mineral ions from water by passing it through ion exchange resins?

Accepted Answer

Deionization

Answer

Deionization uses cation and anion exchange resins to remove dissolved mineral ions from water, producing high-purity water suitable for instrument rinsing.

(HSPA) Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Certification Practice Test

(HSPA) Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Certification Practice Test

HSPA Water Quality in Sterile Processing