Decontamination & Cleaning Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real IAHCSMM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Decontamination & Cleaning Procedures flashcards as text
What temperature range is typically used in a thermal disinfection (washer-disinfector) cycle?
Answer: 80–93°C (176–199°F)
Washer-disinfectors typically operate at 80–93°C to achieve thermal disinfection, meeting A0 values required by international standards.
Which type of bioburden poses the greatest challenge to the cleaning process?
Answer: Dried proteinaceous soil
Dried proteinaceous soil is the most difficult to remove because proteins coagulate and adhere strongly to instrument surfaces when allowed to dry.
What does the term 'cleaning validation' mean in the context of CS/SPD?
Answer: Testing and documenting that the cleaning process consistently removes soil to acceptable levels
Cleaning validation is a documented process that confirms cleaning consistently removes contamination to predetermined acceptable levels.
Ultrasonic cleaners work by which mechanism?
Answer: Cavitation created by high-frequency sound waves
Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create cavitation bubbles that implode and dislodge soil from instrument surfaces.
After manual cleaning, instruments should be rinsed with water at a minimum temperature of:
Answer: Warm (35–40°C / 95–104°F)
Warm rinse water improves detergent removal and promotes drying, reducing the risk of water spotting on instruments.
Which standard provides guidelines for the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical devices in the US?
Answer: AAMI ST79
AAMI ST79 is the comprehensive US guideline for steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities.