(MCQ) Flashcards
7 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 7 (MCQ) flashcards as text
When using ultrasonic cleaners, why must instruments be rinsed thoroughly after the ultrasonic cycle?
Answer: To remove loosened soil and detergent residue that could interfere with sterilization
Post-ultrasonic rinsing removes loosened bioburden and detergent residue that could interfere with sterilization or cause patient reactions.
What does 'flash sterilization' (now called Immediate Use Steam Sterilization or IUSS) require before it can be performed?
Answer: Special IUSS packaging designed for immediate delivery
IUSS requires appropriate IUSS-compatible containment (open tray or approved container) and documented justification, and items must be delivered immediately for use.
Which organization publishes the ANSI/AAMI ST79 document, a comprehensive guide for steam sterilization in healthcare facilities?
Answer: AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation)
AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) publishes ANSI/AAMI ST79, the primary guidance document for steam sterilization practices.
Which type of wrapping material provides a microbial barrier while allowing steam penetration during sterilization?
Answer: SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabric
SMS nonwoven fabric is steam-permeable during sterilization and provides an effective microbial barrier for maintaining sterility after the cycle.
A CS technician finds an instrument set with a broken seal on the outer wrap. The correct action is to:
Answer: Consider the set non-sterile and reprocess it completely
Any compromise to packaging integrity renders the item non-sterile; it must be fully reprocessed through cleaning and sterilization.
What information must appear on a sterilization package label?
Answer: Load number, sterilizer number, cycle date, and expiration date or lot control number
Sterilization labels must include the load/lot number, sterilizer identification, cycle date, and expiration or event-related information for traceability.
Which of the following best describes 'biofilm' and why it is a concern in CS instrument reprocessing?
Answer: A community of microorganisms encased in a protective matrix that resists cleaning and disinfection
Biofilm is a structured community of bacteria within a polysaccharide matrix that strongly adheres to surfaces and resists standard cleaning and disinfection methods.