MDRAO Introduction 3

Question 1

What is the role of a 'point-of-use' treatment in medical device reprocessing?

Accepted Answer

Immediate pre-cleaning to prevent soil from drying before full reprocessing

Answer

Point-of-use treatment prevents bioburden from drying on instruments, making subsequent cleaning more effective.

Question 2

Which term describes the number of microorganisms on a device prior to sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Bioburden

Answer

Bioburden refers to the total number of viable microorganisms present on a device before sterilization.

Question 3

A Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶ means:

Accepted Answer

There is a 1 in 1,000,000 chance a device is non-sterile

Answer

SAL 10⁻⁶ means there is no more than a 1 in 1,000,000 probability that a single viable microorganism remains on the device.

Question 4

Which type of water is recommended for the final rinse of medical instruments prior to sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Distilled or deionized water

Answer

Distilled or deionized water is used for final rinsing to prevent mineral deposits and spotting on instruments.

Question 5

What is the primary hazard of inadequate cleaning before sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Organic material can protect microorganisms, preventing effective sterilization

Answer

Organic soil acts as a physical barrier that prevents sterilizing agents from reaching and killing all microorganisms.

MDRAO - Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario Practice Test