IAHCSMM Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing

Question 1

According to ANSI/AAMI ST91, what is the FIRST step in flexible endoscope reprocessing after a procedure?

Accepted Answer

Point-of-use pre-cleaning: wiping the insertion tube and flushing channels with detergent solution or water at the procedure site

Answer

Point-of-use pre-cleaning (wiping the insertion tube and flushing channels with enzymatic solution or water) must be performed immediately after removal from the patient to prevent soil from drying before formal reprocessing.

Question 2

A leak test is performed on a flexible endoscope BEFORE manual cleaning primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Detect any damage to the outer sheath or internal channels that would allow fluids to enter the scope internal components

Answer

The pre-cleaning leak test detects damage to the endoscope outer sheath or seals; if fluid enters during reprocessing through a breach, internal components can be permanently damaged.

Question 3

Which disinfection level is required for flexible endoscopes used in procedures that contact mucous membranes (e.g., upper GI endoscopes)?

Accepted Answer

High-level disinfection (HLD)

Answer

Flexible endoscopes that contact mucous membranes are classified as semi-critical items under Spaulding Classification and require at least high-level disinfection (HLD).

Question 4

What is the significance of minimum effective concentration (MEC) testing for high-level disinfectants used in endoscope reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

MEC testing verifies the disinfectant has not been diluted below the concentration required to achieve HLD

Answer

MEC testing verifies that the high-level disinfectant concentration has not dropped below the effective threshold due to repeated use or dilution, ensuring it remains capable of achieving HLD.

Question 5

After high-level disinfection, flexible endoscopes must be rinsed with:

Accepted Answer

Sterile water or filtered water meeting bacterial quality standards, with each channel flushed completely

Answer

AAMI ST91 requires rinsing endoscopes after HLD with sterile water or filtered high-quality water to remove disinfectant residues that could harm patients, flushing all channels completely.

(IAHCSMM) International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Manage Practice Test

(IAHCSMM) International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Manage Practice Test

IAHCSMM Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing