Sterile Storage, Handling, and Distribution Flashcards
7 cards from real MDRAO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sterile Storage, Handling, and Distribution flashcards as text
Which labeling information is considered essential on every sterile package at the point of distribution?
Answer: Item name, sterilization date or lot number, and expiry/use-by information
Sterile packages must be labeled with item identification, lot/sterilization date for traceability, and expiry information to ensure accountability.
A sterile instrument set is inadvertently left on a non-sterile counter in the OR corridor. What should staff do?
Answer: Remove it from service and return it for reprocessing
Contact with a non-sterile surface is a compromising event requiring the item to be removed from service and reprocessed.
When a power failure disrupts climate control in the sterile storage area for several hours, what should the sterile processing department do?
Answer: Assess environmental conditions and quarantine potentially compromised stock pending review
Prolonged loss of climate control may cause humidity or temperature excursions that compromise packaging; stock must be assessed and possibly quarantined.
What is the primary purpose of using closed shelving or dust covers in satellite sterile storage locations on nursing units?
Answer: To protect sterile packages from dust, moisture, and handling contamination
Closed shelving or dust covers in satellite storage protect packages from the higher traffic, dust, and humidity found in nursing unit environments.
Which sterile processing standard specifically addresses storage requirements for sterilized items in Canadian healthcare facilities?
Answer: CSA Z8000
CSA Z8000 is the Canadian standard for processing of reusable medical devices and includes specific guidance on sterile storage conditions.
When sterile supplies are delivered to a clinical unit, nursing staff should:
Answer: Inspect packages for integrity before accepting and storing them
Clinical staff receiving sterile supplies are the last line of defense and must inspect packaging integrity before accepting items into unit stock.
What is the consequence of storing sterile items too close to exterior walls or windows in a storage room?
Answer: Condensation from temperature differentials can wet packages and compromise sterility
Cold exterior walls and windows create temperature differentials that can cause condensation on packages stored nearby, compromising sterile barriers.