IAHCSMM Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization's guidelines are considered the primary standard for flexible endoscope reprocessing in the United States?
- AAMI
- SGNA (Correct answer)
- AORN
- The Joint Commission
Correct answer: SGNA
The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) publishes the primary evidence-based guidelines for flexible endoscope reprocessing.
Question 2: What is the correct order of steps in flexible endoscope reprocessing?
- Leak test, pre-clean, manual clean, rinse, HLD, dry, store
- Pre-clean, leak test, manual clean, rinse, HLD, dry, store (Correct answer)
- Manual clean, pre-clean, leak test, HLD, rinse, dry, store
- Pre-clean, manual clean, HLD, leak test, rinse, dry, store
Correct answer: Pre-clean, leak test, manual clean, rinse, HLD, dry, store
Pre-cleaning at the point of use is followed by leak testing, manual cleaning, rinsing, high-level disinfection, drying, and storage.
Question 3: A technician notices the endoscope failed a leak test. What is the correct action?
- Proceed with reprocessing but flag for repair afterward
- Remove the scope from service and send for repair immediately (Correct answer)
- Perform an additional leak test to confirm the result
- Dry the scope thoroughly and repeat the leak test
Correct answer: Remove the scope from service and send for repair immediately
A scope that fails leak testing must be removed from service immediately and sent for repair to prevent patient harm and further damage.
Question 4: During manual cleaning, which component of the flexible endoscope requires the use of appropriately sized brushes on EVERY reprocessing cycle?
- Ocular lens
- Light guide connector
- Instrument/biopsy channels (Correct answer)
- Insertion tube exterior
Correct answer: Instrument/biopsy channels
All instrument/biopsy channels must be mechanically brushed with appropriately sized brushes on every cycle to dislodge biofilm and debris.
Question 5: What does the term 'bioburden' refer to in the context of endoscope reprocessing?
- The weight of contamination chemicals on the scope surface
- The number of viable microorganisms present on the scope before disinfection (Correct answer)
- The chemical load remaining after high-level disinfection
- The amount of detergent required for effective cleaning
Correct answer: The number of viable microorganisms present on the scope before disinfection
Bioburden refers to the number of viable microorganisms contaminating the endoscope prior to decontamination and disinfection.
Question 6: Which type of water should be used for the FINAL rinse after high-level disinfection of a flexible endoscope?
- Tap water
- Sterile water or filtered water (0.2-micron filter) (Correct answer)
- Distilled water
- Deionized water only
Correct answer: Sterile water or filtered water (0.2-micron filter)
Sterile or 0.2-micron filtered water must be used for the final rinse to prevent recontamination from waterborne pathogens such as Pseudomonas.
Question 7: How should flexible endoscopes be stored after reprocessing to prevent recontamination?
- Coiled in a closed drawer or cabinet
- Hanging vertically in a well-ventilated cabinet with all caps removed (Correct answer)
- Sealed in a plastic bag with desiccant packets
- Stored horizontally on a padded surface
Correct answer: Hanging vertically in a well-ventilated cabinet with all caps removed
Endoscopes must hang vertically in a ventilated cabinet with all caps and valves removed to allow continued drying and prevent moisture accumulation.
IAHCSMM Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing 2
Which organization's guidelines are considered the primary standard for flexible endoscope reprocessing in the United States?