MDRAO Sterile Storage and Distribution 2

Question 1

What environmental conditions must be maintained in the sterile storage area to support event-related sterility maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Temperature of 18–24°C, relative humidity of 35–70%, positive air pressure, and limited access to the area

Answer

Any room temperature is acceptable as long as packages are sealed

Answer

The sterile storage area must be refrigerated at 4°C to extend sterility

Answer

No specific environmental controls are required for sterile storage

Question 2

What does 'first in, first out' (FIFO) mean in the context of sterile storage management?

Accepted Answer

Older sterilized items are used first before newer ones to prevent items from remaining in storage indefinitely and potentially suffering a compromising event

Answer

The first staff member to arrive in the morning is the first to work in the sterile storage area

Answer

The first instruments sterilized each day are distributed first to OR for morning cases

Answer

New instruments are used before older ones to ensure the freshest possible sterility

Question 3

What is the minimum height that sterile packages must be stored from the floor?

Accepted Answer

20–25 cm (8–10 inches)

Answer

5 cm (2 inches)

Answer

50 cm (20 inches)

Answer

No floor clearance requirement exists

Question 4

When transporting sterile items from the CSSD to clinical care areas, which type of transport container is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Closed, covered carts or rigid covered containers that protect sterile packages from environmental contamination and physical damage during transport

Answer

Open wire carts for easy visual inspection during transport

Answer

Standard cardboard boxes reused from supply deliveries

Answer

Sterile items may be hand-carried by staff without additional protection

Question 5

Before using a sterile package in a clinical procedure, what inspection steps must clinical staff perform?

Accepted Answer

Check the external chemical indicator colour change, inspect the seal and packaging integrity, verify the load control number is present, and confirm the package is dry and undamaged

Answer

Simply open the package and proceed with the procedure

Answer

Only check that the package is not visibly torn

Answer

Clinical staff are not responsible for checking sterile packages — that is the CSSD's responsibility

Question 6

How should single-use devices (SUDs) be handled in the CSSD when they are returned after patient use?

Accepted Answer

Single-use devices must NEVER be reprocessed or reused — they must be disposed of according to biohazard waste protocols after a single use

Answer

Single-use devices may be cleaned and resterilized up to three times if they appear undamaged

Answer

Single-use devices may be reprocessed if the clinician determines they are still functional

Answer

Single-use devices can be reprocessed if the manufacturer approves reuse in writing for that specific device