NBSTSA Sterilization Methods & Instrument Processing

Question 1

Which sterilization method is considered the gold standard for heat- and moisture-tolerant surgical instruments?

Accepted Answer

Steam (autoclave) sterilization

Answer

Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization

Answer

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization

Answer

Peracetic acid immersion sterilization

Question 2

Ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization is preferred for which category of items?

Accepted Answer

Heat- and moisture-sensitive items such as flexible endoscopes and plastics

Answer

Stainless steel surgical instruments

Answer

Instruments that must be available for immediate use

Answer

Items potentially contaminated with prion disease

Question 3

A Class 5 chemical integrator placed inside a sterilization package changes to the correct endpoint color. What does this confirm?

Accepted Answer

All critical sterilization parameters (time, temperature, and steam) were met

Answer

The outside of the package was exposed to steam

Answer

The item inside is guaranteed to be sterile

Answer

The package was exposed to the correct temperature only

Question 4

A biological indicator (BI) from a sterilization load returns a positive (failed) result. What is the required immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Quarantine all items from that load and investigate the sterilizer failure

Answer

Re-sterilize the load and release the items

Answer

Run an additional chemical indicator test before releasing items

Answer

Notify the surgeon and proceed if instruments appear visually clean

Question 5

Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS), formerly called flash sterilization, should be used in which circumstance?

Accepted Answer

Only when an item is urgently needed and no sterile replacement is available

Answer

As a routine method for all instrument sets to save time

Answer

For all implantable devices to ensure the highest sterility level

Answer

Whenever standard sterilization packaging materials are unavailable

Question 6

Which low-temperature sterilization method uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide combined with plasma energy and produces only water vapor and oxygen as byproducts?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (Sterrad)

Answer

Ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization

Answer

Dry heat sterilization

Answer

Peracetic acid immersion (Steris)