SPD Decontamination and Cleaning Processes 2

Question 1

What is the critical first step when receiving contaminated instruments at the decontamination sink?

Accepted Answer

Sort instruments by type and pre-rinse to remove gross soil and prevent bioburden from drying

Answer

Immediately place them in the ultrasonic cleaner

Answer

Count all instruments before processing

Answer

Spray with disinfectant

Question 2

Why should enzymatic detergents be freshly prepared for each use?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes lose activity over time once diluted, and used solutions become contaminated with bioburden

Answer

They change color over time

Answer

Fresh solutions smell better

Answer

Regulations require it for documentation purposes

Question 3

What is cavitation and how does it relate to ultrasonic cleaning?

Accepted Answer

It is the formation and implosion of microscopic bubbles in liquid that create intense cleaning action at the instrument surface

Answer

It is the formation of rust inside instruments

Answer

It is the rotation of instruments inside a washer

Answer

It is the process of air drying instruments

Question 4

What is the purpose of performing a washer-disinfector efficacy test?

Accepted Answer

To confirm that automated washers achieve validated cleaning and thermal disinfection parameters

Answer

To verify the water pressure

Answer

To check soap levels

Answer

To measure the noise level of the equipment

Question 5

Why must instruments with lumens receive special attention during decontamination?

Accepted Answer

Lumens trap soil and bioburden internally where manual and automated cleaning may not reach without specific flushing protocols

Answer

Lumens are decorative and need careful polishing

Answer

Lumens are made of weaker metal

Answer

Lumen instruments do not need special attention

Question 6

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning removes soil and debris; disinfection kills most pathogens; sterilization eliminates all viable microorganisms including spores

Answer

They are the same process at different speeds

Answer

Cleaning is for floors, disinfection is for instruments, sterilization is for implants

Answer

The terms are interchangeable in sterile processing