CRCST Practice Exam.
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1. An educator explains that washing hands after removing gloves interrupts disease spread. Which link in the chain of infection does hand hygiene primarily break?

• A. The mode of transmission that carries organisms from one place to another
• B. The identity of the causative organism itself
• C. The weather conditions inside the building
• D. The patient's genetic susceptibility

2. In a lesson on why sterilization processes are validated against spore-forming organisms, students compare microbial forms. Which of the following is generally the most resistant to sterilization processes?

• A. Enveloped viruses
• B. Vegetative bacteria
• C. Fungal yeasts
• D. Bacterial spores

3. Before wrapping a tray, a technician unfolds a sheet of disposable wrap and holds it up toward the light for a moment. What is the purpose of this habit?

• A. To remove static electricity from the fibers
• B. To measure the sheet against the ceiling lights for size
• C. To warm the wrap to room temperature before use
• D. To check the wrap for holes, tears, or worn spots that would breach the sterile barrier

4. A technician must lift a heavy wrapped instrument tray from a low shelf onto a transport cart. Which body mechanics approach reduces the risk of injury?

• A. Hold the tray at arm's length to keep it away from the uniform
• B. Bend the knees, keep the back neutral, and hold the load close to the body
• C. Bend at the waist with straight legs and lift quickly
• D. Twist the torso while lifting to place the tray in one motion

5. The department wants routine objective evidence that its automated washers are actually removing soil. Which practice provides this?

• A. Running commercial cleaning verification tests or test soils in the washer on a scheduled basis and documenting the results
• B. Testing the washer only after a patient infection is reported
• C. Assuming the washer works as long as the display shows no error codes
• D. Smelling the instruments after each load

6. A case cart pick list includes an appendectomy tray. Based on the surgical suffix, what does the technician know about this procedure?

• A. It involves only visual examination of the abdomen
• B. It refers to suturing a structure closed
• C. It involves surgical removal, since the suffix -ectomy means cutting out a structure
• D. It is an imaging study with no instruments

7. Two procedures appear on the schedule: an arthroscopy and an arthrotomy. What is the difference these word endings communicate?

• A. The words are interchangeable spellings of one procedure
• B. Both words mean amputation of a limb
• C. The first is a visual examination of a joint with a scope, while the second is a surgical incision into a joint
• D. The first means suturing and the second means freezing

8. A pick list calls for the cholecystectomy set. Which organ is the surgical team planning to remove?

• A. The kidney
• B. The gallbladder
• C. The spleen
• D. The uterus

9. Reading a urology case description, a technician encounters the prefix nephro- repeatedly. Which organ do these terms concern?

• A. The heart
• B. The stomach
• C. The kidney
• D. The liver

10. While assembling a vascular tray, a student asks what the rows of ring-handled instruments with locking ratchets and fine serrated jaws are used for during surgery. What is the primary function of these hemostatic forceps?

• A. Cutting through bone
• B. Holding surgical drapes to the skin
• C. Measuring the depth of the wound
• D. Clamping blood vessels to control bleeding

11. A technician props open the decontamination room door and notices air flowing outward into the adjacent corridor. Why should this be reported?

• A. Corridor air pressure has no relationship to contamination control
• B. Air movement of any kind is prohibited in Sterile Processing work areas
• C. The decontamination area should be under negative pressure so airborne contaminants stay inside the room
• D. Outward airflow makes the decontamination room too cold for staff comfort

12. While diluting an enzymatic cleaner at the sink, a technician is splashed in the eyes with the concentrate. What is the immediate first step?

• A. Finish preparing the solution before leaving the workstation
• B. Apply an over-the-counter eye drop and monitor for irritation overnight
• C. Rinse the eyes briefly with the sink sprayer and continue working
• D. Go straight to the eyewash station and flush the eyes thoroughly, then report the exposure

13. A new instrument disinfectant arrives in the department and a technician wants to know what protective equipment it requires and what to do if it spills. Where is this information found?

• A. The facility's fire evacuation plan
• B. The product's safety data sheet
• C. The count sheet for the affected instrument sets
• D. The sterilizer's daily maintenance log

14. A vendor tells a Sterile Processing manager that its new rigid sterilization container is exempt from government oversight because it is only an accessory. Which agency actually regulates the marketing of such devices in the United States?

• A. The Environmental Protection Agency
• B. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• C. The Food and Drug Administration
• D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

15. A department stocks two liquid chemicals: one used to wipe down environmental surfaces such as counters, and one used for high-level disinfection of semi-critical devices. Which statement about their oversight is accurate?

• A. The surface disinfectant is EPA-registered, while the high-level disinfectant for devices is regulated by the FDA
• B. Both products are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
• C. Neither product is subject to any federal oversight
• D. Both products are cleared by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

16. During orientation, a newly hired decontamination technician asks whether she must pay for the hepatitis B vaccination series her employer mentioned. What does the federal bloodborne pathogens standard require?

• A. The vaccine replaces the need for protective equipment in decontamination
• B. The employer must offer the vaccination series at no cost to employees with occupational exposure risk
• C. Employees must purchase the series themselves before starting work
• D. Vaccination is only available to physicians and nurses

17. A supervisor wants the team to follow the most widely recognized comprehensive guidance on steam sterilization and sterility assurance in healthcare facilities. Which type of document should the department adopt?

• A. A national voluntary consensus standard on steam sterilization developed by the medical instrumentation standards community
• B. An internet forum where technicians share tips
• C. The marketing brochure supplied with the newest sterilizer
• D. The facility's landscaping and grounds policy manual

18. To save time, a technician carries a freshly sterilized case cart back through the decontamination room because it is the shortest route to the elevator. What principle does this violate?

• A. The expectation that technicians always take the longest possible route
• B. The rule that elevators may only carry soiled equipment
• C. The requirement that carts only travel during night shifts
• D. One-way workflow, which moves items from dirty to clean and never back through contaminated areas

19. A technician assigned to instrument assembly arrives wearing long artificial nails and several rings. Why does department dress code prohibit this in clean work areas?

• A. They can harbor microorganisms, hinder hand hygiene, and may puncture gloves or fall into sets
• B. Artificial nails and jewelry interfere with the computer tracking system
• C. The prohibition exists purely for appearance and has no infection control basis
• D. They are only a concern when working night shifts

20. The environmental monitoring log shows the relative humidity in the preparation and packaging area has drifted above the facility's accepted range for two days. What should the technician who notices this do first?

• A. Open the doors to the corridor to equalize the air
• B. Erase the readings and start a fresh log page
• C. Ignore the readings because humidity only matters in the operating room
• D. Report the out-of-range condition through the corrective action process so facilities staff can investigate and affected materials can be evaluated

21. A colleague asks why the department bothers keeping sterilizer cycle printouts and load records for years after the instruments have been used. What is the strongest rationale?

• A. The records support traceability for recalls, quality review, and serve as legal documentation of the process
• B. Old printouts are reused as scratch paper for count sheets
• C. Records are kept only until the end of each shift and then discarded
• D. The paper is required to calibrate the sterilizer printer

22. While flushing a lumened instrument in the decontamination sink, a technician feels a sharp poke through the utility glove and sees a small puncture in the skin. What is the correct response?

• A. Wash the site immediately, report the exposure right away, and follow the facility's post-exposure protocol
• B. Discard the gloves quietly and say nothing to avoid an incident report
• C. Squeeze the site, apply tape, and mention it at the next staff meeting
• D. Continue working and watch for signs of infection over the next month

23. The quality coordinator pulls ten assembled trays at random each week and compares their contents against the count sheets, recording any missing or incorrect instruments. What quality assurance activity is this?

• A. A sterilizer requalification test
• B. A tray audit measuring instrument set accuracy
• C. An environmental sampling study
• D. A biological monitoring program

24. Soiled instruments must travel from an off-site clinic procedure room to the hospital's decontamination area. How should they be transported?

• A. In a clear plastic grocery bag to allow visual inspection
• B. Loose in the trunk of a staff member's personal vehicle
• C. In an open basin carried through public hallways
• D. In a leak-proof, puncture-resistant, closed container labeled as a biohazard

25. A monthly quality report shows the rate of immediate-use steam sterilization climbing sharply in the operating room. Why should Sterile Processing leadership investigate rather than celebrate the fast turnaround?

• A. Immediate-use steam sterilization is the preferred routine method and higher rates prove efficiency
• B. A rising immediate-use rate often signals underlying problems such as insufficient instrument inventory or scheduling gaps that should be corrected
• C. The rate only matters for billing purposes
• D. Investigations are only required when the rate drops to zero

26. A process improvement team maps the assembly area and eliminates unnecessary walking by relocating supplies closer to workstations, reducing wasted motion. Which quality philosophy does this reflect?

• A. A punitive discipline program
• B. Deferred maintenance planning
• C. Random spot inspection
• D. A LEAN approach focused on removing waste from the process

27. At the end of the shift, the decontamination sinks, counters, and floors are visibly soiled from a heavy caseload. What does good practice require for these work surfaces?

• A. Rinsing with plain water once a month
• B. Cleaning and disinfection at least daily and whenever visibly soiled, using the facility's approved agents
• C. Cleaning only once a week to conserve disinfectant
• D. No routine cleaning, because the area is already considered dirty

28. In a Sterile Processing department's design, which areas are kept under positive air pressure relative to their surroundings?

• A. The soiled receiving dock and decontamination room
• B. Only the staff locker rooms
• C. Clean areas such as preparation and packaging and sterile storage
• D. No area of the department requires controlled air pressure

29. Staff are told that surveyors from the hospital's accrediting organization will tour Sterile Processing next week. What is the purpose of this type of visit?

• A. To sell the department new sterilization equipment
• B. To evaluate whether the facility complies with accreditation standards for safe, quality care
• C. To recruit technicians for other hospitals
• D. To administer certification exams to individual staff members

30. A gallon container of instrument detergent tips over in the decontamination area, spreading across the floor. After alerting nearby coworkers, what should guide the cleanup?

• A. Leaving the spill to evaporate overnight
• B. Mopping it quickly with paper towels and bare hands to save time
• C. The spill response steps on the product's safety data sheet, using the designated spill kit and required protective equipment
• D. Rinsing the chemical toward the nearest floor drain regardless of the product's instructions

31. A technician moving from decontamination to the preparation and packaging area asks what attire is expected in the clean side of the department. Which description fits standard practice?

• A. The same fluid-resistant gown and utility gloves worn in decontamination
• B. Any comfortable clothing, since attire has no effect on clean areas
• C. Street clothes are acceptable as long as a lab coat is worn
• D. Facility-provided surgical attire with head covering that confines all hair

32. During a departmental audit, the reviewer asks for evidence that each technician can correctly operate the washer-disinfectors they use. Which records satisfy this request?

• A. The department's holiday schedule
• B. Payroll timecards showing hours worked
• C. A verbal assurance from the shift lead
• D. Documented orientation, training, and periodic competency records for each employee

33. After removing contaminated gloves at the end of a decontamination task, a technician's hands look clean. Why is hand hygiene still required before moving to the next activity?

• A. Washing is done only to warm the hands before fine assembly work
• B. Gloves make hand hygiene permanently unnecessary
• C. Hand hygiene is only necessary when hands are visibly soiled
• D. Hands can be contaminated through unnoticed glove defects or during removal, even when they appear clean

34. An orthopedic case finishes late and the instruments will sit for a while before transport to decontamination. What should the operating room team do with the soiled instruments at the point of use?

• A. Let the instruments air dry so soil is easier to see later
• B. Wrap the soiled instruments in the sterile drapes for transport
• C. Soak the entire tray in saline until pickup
• D. Remove gross soil and keep the instruments moist with an approved pretreatment product or damp towel

35. A newly assigned technician enters decontamination wearing only scrubs and a pair of examination gloves, ready to start washing instruments at the sink. What is wrong with this picture?

• A. Nothing, since examination gloves are sufficient for sink work
• B. The only missing item is a wristwatch to time the soak
• C. The technician also needs a fluid-resistant gown, face and eye protection, and heavy-duty utility gloves for splash-generating tasks
• D. The technician should remove the gloves because bare hands grip instruments better

36. Leaving the decontamination room at break time, a technician begins removing protective equipment. Which general sequence protects the wearer from self-contamination?

• A. Remove the mask first with gloved hands, then everything else in any order
• B. Keep everything on during break to avoid wasting supplies
• C. Remove all items in the break room where there is more space
• D. Remove the most contaminated items such as gloves and gown first, then eye and face protection, finishing with hand hygiene

37. While brushing the lumen of a suction tip in the decontamination sink, why should the technician keep the instrument and brush below the surface of the water?

• A. To hide the soil from view while scrubbing
• B. To prevent creating aerosols and splatter of contaminated droplets
• C. To keep the water warm for longer periods
• D. Because brushes only work when fully saturated

38. A trauma set arrives caked with dried blood. The technician wants a detergent whose enzymes specifically target protein soils. Which enzyme type should the product feature?

• A. Lipase, which digests fats
• B. Protease, which breaks down proteinaceous soils such as blood
• C. Cellulase, which breaks down plant fibers
• D. Amylase, which digests starches

39. To speed things up, a technician mixes an enzymatic detergent with very hot water straight from the sanitizer tap and doubles the recommended concentration. Why is this counterproductive?

• A. Enzymes can be inactivated by excessive heat, and incorrect dilution deviates from the validated instructions for use
• B. Stronger solutions always clean better regardless of the label
• C. Detergent concentration only matters in mechanical washers
• D. Hot water makes the detergent too slippery to rinse

40. An eye surgery instrument set is scheduled for reprocessing, and the team is reviewing the rinse procedure. Why is treated critical water recommended for the final rinse of such instruments?

• A. It is free of the minerals, endotoxins, and residues that can harm delicate eye tissue and contribute to toxic anterior segment syndrome
• B. It removes the need for any detergent during cleaning
• C. Treated water is warmer than tap water
• D. It changes the instrument's color to confirm cleanliness

41. Instruments coming out of manual cleaning show white spots and a hazy film after drying, and the department rinses them with untreated tap water. What is the most likely explanation?

• A. The drying towels are too dry
• B. The spots are a normal sign of thorough cleaning
• C. Mineral deposits from hard tap water are drying on the surfaces, indicating a need for treated rinse water
• D. The instruments are shedding their stainless steel coating

42. A tray of hinged instruments with deep serrations and box locks has been through gross soil removal. What makes an ultrasonic cleaner particularly useful as the next step?

• A. Ultrasonic cleaning eliminates the need for detergent in the tank
• B. Ultrasonic energy sterilizes the instruments so no further processing is needed
• C. The machine polishes the instruments to a mirror finish
• D. Cavitation bubbles implode against surfaces, pulling soil out of crevices, serrations, and other hard-to-reach areas

43. A technician drops a bloody retractor straight into the ultrasonic cleaner without any prior rinsing or gross soil removal. Why does this practice degrade the process?

• A. The ultrasonic cycle will sterilize through the soil anyway
• B. Ultrasonic units are designed for items that have already had gross soil removed; heavy soil burdens the bath and reduces cleaning effectiveness
• C. Retractors are always too large for any ultrasonic tank
• D. Blood improves cavitation by thickening the solution

44. In a typical washer-disinfector cycle, why does the sequence begin with a cool water pre-rinse instead of a hot wash?

• A. Cool water conserves the building's hot water supply
• B. Hot water at the start would coagulate proteins such as blood, baking soil onto the instruments
• C. Cool water disinfects better than hot water
• D. The machine's pumps cannot move hot water

45. Instruments emerge from the washer-disinfector with patches of retained soil, and the technician notices trays were stacked tightly with instruments piled on top of each other. What is the likely cause of the failure?

• A. The detergent was too effective and dissolved the shine
• B. The cycle was too long, which redeposited soil
• C. Overloading blocked the spray arms and shadowed surfaces from water and detergent contact
• D. Washer baskets are only decorative and placement does not matter

46. Before manual cleaning of a flexible endoscope begins, what test is performed to detect damage to its internal channels and outer covering?

• A. A leak test performed according to the scope manufacturer's instructions
• B. A drop test from waist height onto a padded mat
• C. A sharpness test using material designed for scissors
• D. An electrical insulation test used for monopolar instruments

47. After manual cleaning, a GI endoscopy department processes its flexible scopes in a machine that circulates a high-level disinfectant through the channels on a validated cycle. What is this equipment called?

• A. A cart washer
• B. An automated endoscope reprocessor
• C. An ultrasonic irrigator
• D. A gravity displacement sterilizer

48. Under the Spaulding classification, a flexible bronchoscope contacts intact mucous membranes but does not normally penetrate sterile tissue. What is the minimum reprocessing level for this semi-critical device?

• A. Simple rinsing with utility water
• B. Dusting followed by storage
• C. High-level disinfection
• D. Low-level disinfection with a surface wipe

49. A tissue forceps will be used inside the sterile surgical field and will contact tissue beneath the skin. How does the Spaulding classification categorize this device and what processing does it demand?

• A. Semi-critical, requiring only intermediate-level disinfection
• B. Critical, requiring sterilization before use
• C. Unclassified, with processing left to technician preference
• D. Non-critical, requiring cleaning alone

50. A wheelchair used to move patients between departments touches only intact skin. Within the Spaulding framework, what processing does it need between patients?

• A. No attention of any kind between patients
• B. High-level disinfection by full immersion
• C. Ethylene oxide sterilization after every trip
• D. Cleaning with low- or intermediate-level disinfection as a non-critical item

51. At the start of the shift, the test strip for the high-level disinfectant bath fails to show an adequate concentration, though the solution looks clear and is within its labeled reuse period. What must the technician do?

• A. Use the solution anyway because the reuse period has not expired
• B. Warm the solution to restore its potency
• C. Add tap water to refresh the bath
• D. Discard and replace the solution because it has fallen below its minimum effective concentration

52. A technician sprays disinfectant on a work counter and immediately wipes it completely dry. Why did this application likely fail to disinfect?

• A. Disinfectants require their labeled wet contact time on the surface to kill microorganisms
• B. Spraying is never an acceptable way to apply any chemical
• C. The disinfectant only works on floors
• D. Counters cannot be disinfected once instruments have touched them

53. Instruments from a morning case sit unwashed until evening, and the soil now resists normal cleaning. Beyond dried soil, what microbial structure may now be developing that shields bacteria from detergents and disinfectants?

• A. A biofilm, a community of microorganisms in a protective secreted matrix
• B. A rust bloom that kills all bacteria on contact
• C. A harmless mineral glaze
• D. A pollen capsule

54. The operating room notifies Sterile Processing that instruments just used in a neurosurgical case belong to a patient suspected of having Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. How should the department respond?

• A. Process the instruments through a standard steam cycle like any other set
• B. Run the instruments through the ultrasonic twice instead of once
• C. Keep the instruments identified and segregated, and follow the facility's enhanced prion protocol, which may include extended cycles or disposal
• D. Wipe the instruments with alcohol and return them to service

55. A technician receiving case carts places a tray of soiled laparoscopic instruments directly onto the counter where cleaned items are staged for the washer exit side. What has just occurred?

• A. A required step in the cleaning verification process
• B. Cross contamination, transferring soil from a dirty item to a clean surface and the items on it
• C. Nothing significant, because counters cannot transmit microorganisms
• D. An acceptable shortcut when the department is busy

56. While sorting a soiled tray at the decontamination sink, a technician spots a used scalpel blade left among the instruments. What is the safe way to handle it?

• A. Pick it up carefully with fingers and set it aside on the counter
• B. Flush it down the sink drain with heavy water flow
• C. Leave it in the tray and continue washing around it
• D. Remove it using an instrument such as forceps or a needle holder and place it in the puncture-resistant sharps container

57. A splash of blood-tinged fluid lands on the floor beside the decontamination sink during instrument sorting. How should the area be treated?

• A. Dry it with a personal cloth kept in a pocket for such events
• B. Wearing appropriate protective equipment, contain and clean the spill, then apply a facility-approved disinfectant for its full contact time
• C. Cover it with a caution sign and leave it for the night crew
• D. Dilute it by pouring clean water over the area

58. During lumen brushing, a technician notices the brush bristles are splayed and worn flat, and a coworker mentions the same brush has been used all week without processing. What should happen with cleaning brushes in this department?

• A. One large brush diameter is best for every lumen size
• B. Brushes should be used until the handle breaks to control costs
• C. Brushes never require cleaning because they live in detergent
• D. Worn brushes must be replaced, brush size must match the lumen, and reusable brushes must be cleaned and disinfected at least daily

59. During assembly, a technician wants to confirm that a pair of operating scissors still cuts properly before placing them in a tray. How is this typically checked?

• A. By snapping the blades together loudly and listening to the sound
• B. By cutting the appropriate test material for that scissor type and checking for a clean cut along the blade length
• C. By bending the blades sideways to test flexibility
• D. By checking only that the finger rings are shiny

60. A decontamination area uses a divided sink arrangement for manual cleaning. What is the purpose of dedicating separate bays to washing and to rinsing?

• A. The extra bay exists only as a backup if one drain clogs
• B. Divided sinks are decorative and functionally identical to a single basin
• C. It allows two technicians to share one faucet
• D. Separate bays keep detergent washing distinct from rinsing so instruments are not re-soiled and detergent residue is fully removed

61. Halfway through a washer-disinfector cycle, the machine alarms and stops with an error code, then a coworker suggests just opening the door and moving the load along to assembly. What is the correct course?

• A. Hand dry the instruments to make up for the lost cycle time
• B. Send the load to assembly because most of the cycle finished
• C. Silence the alarm and restart the same cycle without telling anyone
• D. Treat the load as not fully processed, report and tag the malfunction, and rerun the items once the washer is cleared for use

62. A department is drafting its manual cleaning procedure for a complex loaned tray and finds the device maker publishes step-by-step cleaning directions. Why do these instructions for use take precedence over the department's generic routine?

• A. Generic routines are always stricter than any manufacturer document
• B. Instructions only apply to the first cleaning after purchase
• C. Manufacturer instructions are validated for that specific device, and following them is how the facility ensures the device can actually be cleaned effectively
• D. The instructions are optional marketing material with no practical weight

63. Before a laparoscopic monopolar instrument is added to a set, the technician runs a device along its shaft that alarms at one spot near the tip. What has been found, and why does it matter?

• A. A cosmetic scratch that only affects appearance
• B. A magnetized area that will attract other instruments
• C. Nothing important, since the alarm only measures shaft length
• D. An insulation failure that could allow stray electrosurgical current to burn tissue outside the surgeon's view

64. The biological indicators used to monitor steam sterilization cycles contain spores of a specific organism chosen for its resistance to moist heat. Which organism is it?

• A. Candida albicans
• B. Geobacillus stearothermophilus
• C. Staphylococcus aureus
• D. Escherichia coli

65. An assembly workstation is being set up for instrument inspection. Besides good general room light, what tool helps the technician find residual soil, cracks, and burrs on instruments?

• A. A pocket flashlight used from across the room
• B. Sunglasses to reduce glare from the instruments
• C. A lighted magnifying lamp at the inspection station
• D. A photograph of what the instrument should look like

66. When placing ring-handled clamps into a tray for sterilization, why must their ratchets be left in the open, unlocked position?

• A. Open box locks allow the sterilant to contact all mated surfaces, and closed ratchets can crack from heat expansion
• B. Locked instruments take up too much room on the count sheet
• C. Open instruments are easier to photograph for records
• D. The position of the ratchet has no effect on sterilization

67. A powered drill system arrives at assembly with its hose, handpiece, and attachments connected together after cleaning. The instructions for use call for processing it in separate components. What should the technician do?

• A. Leave it assembled so the operating room saves setup time
• B. Sterilize it assembled but run two cycles back to back
• C. Skip the drill and send it unsterilized since it is powered equipment
• D. Disassemble the system per the instructions for use so sterilant can reach all surfaces of each component

68. Fine-tipped microsurgical scissors keep arriving in the operating room with bent tips. To protect them during packaging and sterilization, what should assembly staff use?

• A. A wrap of adhesive tape directly on the blades
• B. Tight rubber bands wound around the tips
• C. Folded paper towels stuffed around the instrument
• D. Commercial tip protectors that are vented, fit loosely, and are validated for the sterilization method

69. Several box locks in a tray feel stiff after mechanical washing, and the technician reaches for a treatment before sterilization. Which product is appropriate?

• A. A water-based instrument lubricant that steam can penetrate, applied per the product directions
• B. Household machine oil applied liberally to each joint
• C. No treatment, since stiffness resolves on its own during storage
• D. Petroleum jelly rubbed into the hinges

70. A set returns from a busy weekend with brown-orange discoloration and small pits on several instruments, and the operating room admits the items sat in saline for hours. What relationship does this illustrate?

• A. Discoloration is caused only by detergent choice, never by soaking
• B. Saline strengthens the protective layer on stainless steel
• C. Pitting is desirable because it gives instruments better grip
• D. Saline exposure corrodes stainless steel, causing pitting that shortens instrument life and harbors soil

71. While assembling a laparotomy set, a technician discovers a needle holder with a cracked box lock. What is the proper handling of this instrument?

• A. Remove it from service, tag it for repair or replacement, and document the action per department policy
• B. Hide it at the bottom of the tray so the count still matches
• C. Throw it into the regular trash immediately
• D. Place it in the set anyway because one crack rarely matters

72. The count sheet for a minor set lists a mosquito forceps that the technician cannot find among the washed instruments. What should happen before this set moves forward?

• A. Substitute any instrument of similar size and note nothing
• B. Cross the instrument off the count sheet permanently without telling anyone
• C. Send the incomplete set forward and let the operating room discover the gap
• D. Search for the missing instrument, and if it cannot be located, replace it or document the shortage per policy and flag the set accordingly

73. When assembling a multi-level orthopedic tray, where should the internal chemical indicator be positioned?

• A. Anywhere at all, since indicator position is purely traditional
• B. Taped to the outside of the wrap where it is easiest to see
• C. Left out entirely when the tray has an external indicator
• D. In the area of the tray considered least accessible to the sterilant, such as the center or a lower level

74. A student asks why every wrapped package gets a piece of indicator tape on the outside when there is already an indicator inside. What does the external indicator actually demonstrate?

• A. That the package has been exposed to the sterilization process, distinguishing processed from unprocessed items
• B. That the package weighs within acceptable limits
• C. That the contents are guaranteed sterile to the center of the pack
• D. That the instruments inside were inspected during assembly

75. A technician labeling a peel pouch grabs a felt-tip marker and starts writing across the paper side. Why must the writing go on the plastic film side or on affixed indicator tape instead?

• A. Paper-side writing voids the pouch manufacturer's warranty but is otherwise harmless
• B. Markers only function on plastic surfaces
• C. Ink on the paper side can wick through the porous barrier and compromise the pack, and writing can damage the paper through which sterilant must pass
• D. The plastic side is simply easier to photograph for records

76. A heavy stack of ring instruments is squeezed into a peel pouch so full that the seal area is under visible strain. What problem does this create?

• A. Extra contents speed up sterilant penetration
• B. The overfilled pouch stresses seals and can burst or develop channels during sterilization and handling, compromising sterility
• C. The pouch will become too heavy for the sterilizer cart
• D. None, as long as the heat seal appears closed at dispatch

77. To fit a small item snugly, a technician seals it inside one pouch and then seals that pouch inside a second, folding the inner pouch over to make it fit. What is wrong here?

• A. The error is using pouches at all instead of wrap for small items
• B. The inner pouch should have been stapled rather than folded
• C. Nothing, since two barriers are always better than one
• D. Double pouching is acceptable only when validated by the pouch manufacturer, and the inner pouch must fit flat without folding

78. A technician must wrap a large, heavy basin set and asks whether to use the square fold or the envelope fold. Which guidance reflects standard packaging practice?

• A. Fold choice is decided by coin flip since the folds perform identically
• B. Large items should be left unwrapped because folds cannot cover them
• C. The envelope fold is mandatory for every item regardless of size
• D. The square fold suits large packs and trays, while the envelope fold is generally used for smaller, lighter items

79. A nursing student touring the department asks what the sterilization wrap around an instrument tray is actually for. Which answer captures its purpose?

• A. It insulates the instruments against temperature changes in storage
• B. It marks the tray's ownership so sets are not mixed between departments
• C. It allows the sterilant to reach the contents during processing and then serves as a microbial barrier until the pack is aseptically opened
• D. It exists mainly to keep the tray's instruments from rattling

80. A technician cannot find indicator tape and considers closing a wrapped pack with safety pins, paper clips, or a stapler from the desk. Why are these fasteners forbidden?

• A. They interfere with the sterilizer's electronic sensors
• B. They add too much weight to the finished package
• C. They puncture the wrap, creating pathways for microorganisms and destroying the sterile barrier
• D. They are acceptable as long as the holes are small

81. While preparing a rigid sterilization container, the technician finds the disposable filter from the previous cycle still seated in the lid and a small nick in the lid gasket. What is the correct action?

• A. Run the container without any filter to improve steam flow
• B. Install a fresh disposable filter and remove the container from service until the damaged gasket is replaced
• C. Reuse the filter since it looks clean, but report the gasket at the end of the month
• D. Flip the gasket over so the nick faces down

82. After each surgical use, a rigid sterilization container returns to decontamination along with its instruments. Why must the container itself be disassembled and cleaned every time?

• A. Disassembly is unnecessary because steam cleans the container during the next cycle
• B. Containers only need cleaning when visibly dirty on the outside
• C. Cleaning is done solely to keep the container shiny for inspections
• D. The container was opened in the operating room and is contaminated; soil on valves, gaskets, and retention plates would compromise the next cycle

83. A technician assembling a basin set nests three graduated basins directly against each other and wraps the stack tightly. What packaging principle has been overlooked?

• A. Basins can never be sterilized in the same package under any circumstances
• B. The stack should have been secured with rubber bands before wrapping
• C. Basins only require dusting because they hold no instruments
• D. Nested basins need absorbent material between them and positioning that lets condensate drain, or trapped air and pooled moisture will defeat the process

84. Each night, a technician counts the sponges and drapes in a supply station and restocks each item up to a preset quantity marked on the shelf label. Which inventory system is in use?

• A. One-time bulk purchasing
• B. A periodic automatic replenishment level system that restores each item to its established quantity
• C. First come, first served issuing
• D. Emergency requisition only

85. In the textile pack room, a technician passes freshly laundered surgical towels and drapes over a lighted inspection table before assembling them into packs. What is being accomplished?

• A. The light bleaches the fabric to a uniform color
• B. The step exists to dry any remaining laundry moisture
• C. Holes, thin spots, lint, and foreign material are detected so defective textiles are repaired with heat-seal patches or removed
• D. The table warms the textiles for more comfortable folding

86. A department wants to mark individual forceps so they can be traced back to their home sets. Which marking practice is acceptable for surgical instruments?

• A. Using approved methods such as laser etching or validated instrument marking tape applied per the manufacturer's directions
• B. Attaching adhesive office labels to each instrument
• C. Scratching initials into the shaft with another instrument
• D. Painting the handles with nail polish from the pharmacy

87. During tray assembly, a technician wipes lint off the work surface and changes gloves that have picked up fuzz from a towel. Why is lint control taken so seriously in preparation areas?

• A. Lint jams the hinges of the sterilizer door
• B. Lint carried into a surgical wound can trigger inflammatory reactions and serve as a vehicle for microorganisms
• C. Lint concerns apply only to the laundry department
• D. Lint discolors instrument finishes permanently

88. An assembler keeps adding instruments to a containerized general set until it is difficult to lift comfortably. Beyond staff strain, why do departments commonly cap containerized instrument sets at around twenty-five pounds?

• A. Dense, overweight sets are harder to dry, retain condensate, and create ergonomic injury risk, so a weight guideline is widely applied
• B. Lighter sets sterilize instantly regardless of cycle settings
• C. Scales in most departments cannot read higher weights
• D. Heavier sets exceed what sterilizer shelves can physically support

89. A wrapped tray's label shows the set name and date, but the operating room later asks which sterilizer and cycle produced it. Which label element answers that question?

• A. The lot or load control number identifying the sterilizer, cycle, and date of processing
• B. The tray's storage shelf number
• C. The technician's shift start time
• D. The color of the indicator tape used to seal the pack

90. A loaner tray of spinal implants and instruments arrives from a vendor two hours before the scheduled case, and the representative insists it was sterilized at the last hospital. How should Sterile Processing handle this tray?

• A. Wipe the exterior with a disinfectant wipe and dispatch it
• B. Refuse all loaner instrumentation as a matter of policy
• C. Accept the vendor's word and send the tray directly to the operating room
• D. Receive and inventory the tray, then fully clean, inspect, package, and sterilize it in-house per the manufacturer's instructions before use

91. After sealing several peel pouches, a technician notices one seal has a wrinkle running across it and another shows a small gap at the edge. What should be done with these pouches?

• A. Open them, repackage the items in new pouches, and check the heat sealer's settings and function
• B. Send them forward since the contents have not been touched
• C. Mark the pouches for use within twenty-four hours only
• D. Cover the defects with indicator tape and continue

92. For a complex multi-layer set, the department places an indicator inside that responds to all critical variables of the steam process and is designed to be an internal monitor of exposure conditions. Which indicator class fits this description?

• A. A biological indicator read after incubation only
• B. A Type 5 integrating indicator, which reacts to all critical process variables
• C. A process indicator that responds to a single variable such as temperature alone
• D. An air removal test sheet intended for an empty chamber

93. An assembler needs dozens of loose hemostats arranged in an orderly row inside a tray, each held in an unlatched position. Which accessory is designed for this job?

• A. A rubber band looped through the finger rings
• B. A paper envelope taped shut around the instruments
• C. A zip-style plastic bag from the supply cabinet
• D. A stringer or rack that holds the instruments open in an orderly row

94. A microsurgical tray is being assembled, and the technician starts to lay heavy retractors directly on top of delicate eye instruments to save space. What assembly principle is being violated?

• A. Space saving is the highest priority in tray assembly
• B. Heavier instruments must never share a department with delicate ones
• C. Delicate instruments are protected from heavy items by placement, separation, and protective accessories so tips and edges are not crushed
• D. Trays must always be assembled from lightest to heaviest alphabetically

95. Two steam sterilizers sit side by side: one relies on steam entering the top of the chamber to push air out a lower drain, while the other pulls air out with a vacuum pump before steam injection. How are these machines classified?

• A. The first is a gravity displacement sterilizer and the second is a dynamic air removal sterilizer
• B. The distinction is cosmetic and the machines work identically
• C. Both are dry heat sterilizers with different fans
• D. The first is a chemical vapor unit and the second is an incubator

96. A student asks why so much sterilizer engineering is devoted to getting air out of the chamber before steam exposure begins. What is the core reason?

• A. Air makes the chamber too heavy during the cycle
• B. Air removal is only needed to make the cycle quieter
• C. Air causes the packaging labels to fade
• D. Residual air forms pockets that block steam from contacting surfaces, and without direct steam contact those surfaces are not sterilized

97. A sterilizer cycle printout divides the run into distinct phases. During which phase is the actual kill time counted, with the chamber held at the set temperature?

• A. The exhaust phase as pressure returns to normal
• B. The drying phase at the end of the cycle
• C. The conditioning phase while air is being removed
• D. The exposure phase, when the load is held at sterilization temperature for the prescribed time

98. A wrapped instrument set is scheduled for a dynamic air removal steam cycle, and the technician checks the settings against common practice. Which temperature is typically associated with this cycle type for wrapped instrument sets?

• A. Around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to an oven's broil setting
• B. Around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to body temperature
• C. Around 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of water
• D. Around 270 degrees Fahrenheit (132 degrees Celsius), subject to the sterilizer and device instructions

99. Each morning before the first processed load, a technician runs a special test sheet in an empty dynamic air removal sterilizer, and today the sheet shows a nonuniform color change. What does this result mean?

• A. The test sheet was stored upside down and can be ignored
• B. The air removal test failed, so the sterilizer stays out of service for processing until the problem is corrected and a passing test is obtained
• C. The load that follows will simply need extra drying time
• D. The sterilizer sterilized the sheet successfully

100. Why do biological indicators rely on highly resistant bacterial spores rather than ordinary bacteria to prove a sterilizer is working?

• A. If the process kills the most resistant challenge organisms, it can be inferred that less resistant contaminants were also destroyed
• B. Ordinary bacteria are too dangerous to place in a sterilizer
• C. Spores change color on contact with steam
• D. Spores are cheaper to grow than ordinary bacteria

101. Instead of tossing a biological indicator loosely into a full load, the department places it inside a commercially prepared test pack designed to be at least as hard for steam to penetrate as the most difficult routine package. What is this arrangement called?

• A. A process challenge device
• B. A convenience sample
• C. An incubator control
• D. A dust cover

102. A total joint case is on the schedule, and the surgeon asks for the implant tray the moment its cycle finishes, before the biological indicator has been incubated and read. How should the department respond?

• A. Explain that implant loads are quarantined until the biological indicator is read negative, with early release reserved for documented emergencies under facility policy
• B. Substitute an unsterilized implant from the vendor's trunk stock
• C. Skip biological monitoring on implant loads to avoid this conflict
• D. Release the implant immediately since the printout looked normal

103. A routine biological indicator from yesterday's afternoon load turns positive after incubation while its unprocessed control also grew as expected. What sequence of actions follows this failed spore test?

• A. Repeat the test next week and take no other action
• B. Increase the next cycle's drying time to compensate
• C. Discard the indicator quietly since the control also grew
• D. Take the sterilizer out of service, report the failure, and recall items processed since the last negative biological indicator while the cause is investigated

104. After a sterilization failure is confirmed, the recall team must figure out exactly which trays and packages are affected. What documentation makes this possible?

• A. The color of wrap used that week
• B. A general memory of which technician was working
• C. The cafeteria's meal schedule from that day
• D. The load records linking every package's lot control number to specific sterilizer cycles

105. Reviewing a cycle printout at unload, a technician sees the chamber temperature briefly dipped below the set point during the exposure phase. The external indicators on the load look fine. What is the correct decision?

• A. Do not release the load; the physical monitor shows the cycle failed to maintain required parameters, so the load is reprocessed and the sterilizer evaluated
• B. Release only the packages from the top shelf
• C. Release the load because indicator tape outranks the printout
• D. Cross out the dip on the printout and file it

106. While unloading a steam cart, a technician finds one wrapped tray whose external indicator tape shows no color change at all, unlike every other package in the load. What does this most likely indicate?

• A. Unchanged tape is expected on the bottom shelf
• B. The tray may never have been through a sterilization cycle, perhaps added after processing, and must not be released
• C. The tray sterilized faster than the others
• D. The tape is defective and the tray can be dispensed normally

107. When loading peel pouches onto a sterilizer cart, how should they be arranged for effective steam processing?

• A. On edge in a basket or rack, with the paper side of each pouch facing the plastic side of the next
• B. Placed under the metal trays to keep them from blowing around
• C. Rolled into cylinders and rubber banded together
• D. Stacked flat in a tall pile to maximize cart space

108. A mixed steam load contains wrapped instrument trays, textile packs, and rigid containers. Which loading arrangement supports effective sterilization and drying?

• A. Metal trays balanced on top of the textile packs
• B. Containers stacked in a sealed plastic bin inside the chamber
• C. Everything pressed tightly together to fill every gap on each shelf
• D. Textiles on upper shelves and metal items such as trays and containers below them, with space for steam circulation

109. Under pressure to catch up, a technician crams twice the usual number of trays into one steam cycle, leaving almost no space between packages. Which outcome does this loading pattern invite?

• A. Faster sterilization because the chamber is fuller
• B. Automatic cycle extension by the sterilizer to compensate perfectly
• C. No effect, since load size is unrelated to outcomes
• D. Poor steam contact and retained moisture, producing questionable sterilization and wet packs

110. At unload, a wrapped general set has visible droplets on the outside of the wrap and feels damp on its underside. How is this package handled, and why?

• A. Fan it dry near a vent and dispense it
• B. Dispense it if it will be used within the hour
• C. Store it in the warmest corner of the sterile storage room
• D. Treat it as a wet pack: the moisture path compromises the barrier, so the set is rewrapped and resterilized while the cause is investigated

111. A cart of freshly sterilized wrapped trays exits the chamber steaming hot, and a coworker suggests moving the packs immediately onto the cool metal shelves in sterile storage. Why should the load cool on its cart first?

• A. Sterile storage doors are locked until the evening shift
• B. Cooling is only about staff comfort when touching packs
• C. Hot packages placed on cool surfaces form condensate, drawing moisture and contaminants through the barrier, and warm packs are easily damaged by handling
• D. The cart's wheels need time to cool before rolling

112. Midway through an appendectomy, the only suitable clamp is dropped on the floor. The operating room requests immediate-use steam sterilization of the recovered instrument. Under what conditions is this appropriate?

• A. When the need is urgent with no sterile replacement available, and the instrument is fully cleaned per its instructions, processed in an approved rigid IUSS container, documented, and delivered aseptically for immediate use
• B. Only if the instrument is an implantable device
• C. Never, because immediate-use steam sterilization is prohibited in all cases
• D. Whenever the schedule is busy, as a routine alternative to wrapped processing

113. A delicate camera head cannot tolerate heat or moisture, and its instructions permit gas sterilization. What is a recognized strength and a recognized drawback of ethylene oxide processing for such devices?

• A. It requires no packaging but leaves a visible residue
• B. It sterilizes in seconds but only works on metal
• C. It is completely harmless but cannot penetrate any lumen
• D. It penetrates lumens and packaging well at low temperature, but cycles are long, loads need aeration, and the gas is hazardous to staff

114. An ethylene oxide cycle completes and a technician reaches to pull the load straight out for dispatch. Why must the load remain for aeration before handling and use?

• A. Aeration removes residual ethylene oxide from materials, which would otherwise expose staff and could harm patients through toxic residues on devices
• B. Aeration is optional when the schedule is tight
• C. The load must cool so the tape sticks properly
• D. The chamber door locks are timed for security reasons only

115. Preparing a load for a vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizer, a technician wraps the instruments in cotton towels and adds paper count sheets inside the trays. What will likely happen?

• A. The load will finish faster because paper accelerates the plasma phase
• B. The cellulose materials will absorb the sterilant and typically cause a cycle cancellation, so polypropylene wrap and approved non-cellulose accessories are required
• C. The towels will convert the peroxide into water for easier drying
• D. The cycle will run normally since packaging never matters in gas processes

116. A heat-sensitive rigid endoscope is validated for both ethylene oxide and vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and the operating room needs it back quickly. Which factor most favors choosing the hydrogen peroxide system in this situation?

• A. Its much shorter cycle with no lengthy aeration requirement
• B. Its higher operating temperature than steam
• C. Its complete freedom from any lumen or material restrictions
• D. Its ability to sterilize cellulose wrappers

117. A compounding area sends talc powder and an anhydrous ointment for sterilization, noting that steam cannot penetrate either product. Which sterilization technology is suited to these items?

• A. Immediate-use steam sterilization
• B. Ultrasonic cavitation
• C. Dry heat sterilization
• D. An automated endoscope reprocessor

118. During a routine check, a technician finds lint and debris collecting on the strainer at the bottom of the steam sterilizer chamber and a whitish film on the chamber walls. What does proper sterilizer care require?

• A. Clean the drain strainer and chamber on the schedule and method the manufacturer specifies, and report conditions that suggest steam or water quality problems
• B. Ignore the buildup until the annual service visit
• C. Scrub the chamber with steel wool and any available cleanser
• D. Run an empty cycle to burn the deposits away

119. A steam sterilizer returns from a major repair that included replacing its vacuum pump. Before the machine resumes routine processing, what does accepted practice call for?

• A. A single ordinary load with no extra monitoring
• B. Requalification testing, commonly including air removal tests and consecutive cycles with biological indicator challenges, all passing before release for use
• C. A visual once-over by the repair vendor only
• D. Thirty days of probationary use on non-surgical items

120. The label printed for each sterilizer load carries a code the department can use to trace any package later. What information does this load control identifier typically capture?

• A. The technician's employee parking space
• B. The purchase price of the instruments inside
• C. The name of the patient scheduled to receive the instruments
• D. The sterilizer identity, the cycle or load number, and the date of processing

121. Alongside every batch of biological indicators processed in loads, the department incubates one indicator from the same lot that never went through a sterilizer. What is the purpose of this unprocessed indicator?

• A. It serves as a positive control proving the spores were viable and the incubator functions, so negative results from processed indicators are trustworthy
• B. It measures the room temperature of the incubation area
• C. It is a spare in case a processed indicator is dropped
• D. It doubles the department's indicator inventory usage for budgeting

122. The instructions for a complex loaner orthopedic set specify a longer steam exposure time than the department's standard wrapped-goods cycle. The sterilizer can be programmed for the extended cycle. Which course is correct?

• A. Run the device manufacturer's validated extended cycle and document that the correct cycle was used
• B. Send the set out in whatever cycle finishes soonest before the case
• C. Split the difference between the two exposure times
• D. Run the standard cycle since all steam cycles are interchangeable

123. A gravity displacement cycle for a similar load runs at a lower temperature than a dynamic air removal cycle but for a much longer exposure time. What explains this relationship?

• A. Time and temperature are unrelated variables in steam sterilization
• B. Lower sterilization temperatures require longer exposure times to deliver equivalent lethality
• C. Longer cycles compensate for smaller chamber sizes
• D. Gravity cycles run longer purely to warm up the room

124. In the operating room, a scrub nurse opens a wrapped set and sees that the internal chemical indicator has not reached its stated endpoint. What must the surgical team and Sterile Processing do?

• A. Shake the indicator to complete its color change
• B. Use the set quickly before any contamination can settle
• C. Remove only the instruments that touch the indicator and use the rest
• D. Reject the entire set, return it for reprocessing, and report the failed indicator so the load can be evaluated

125. A nurse finds a properly wrapped tray sterilized eight months ago on the shelf and asks whether it must be discarded because of its age. Under event-related sterility practice, what determines whether the tray is still usable?

• A. The calendar alone; every pack expires at ninety days
• B. The color of the wrap fading over time
• C. The number of times the tray has been counted during inventory
• D. Whether anything has happened to compromise the package, such as moisture, tears, soiling, or crushing, rather than time itself

126. While pulling supplies, a technician knocks a wrapped minor tray off a shelf and it lands flat on the floor. A coworker says to dust it off and reshelve it. What is the appropriate handling?

• A. Open it briefly to confirm the instruments are unharmed, then tape it closed
• B. Reshelve it since the floor looked clean
• C. Treat the drop as a compromising event for a wrapped item; the set returns for inspection and reprocessing per policy
• D. Move it to the top shelf where it will not fall again

127. A shipment of sterile disposable supplies arrives at the dock in corrugated cardboard shipping cartons, and a volunteer starts wheeling the sealed cartons straight into the sterile storage room. Why must this be stopped?

• A. Cardboard is only prohibited because it is difficult to stack neatly
• B. External shipping cartons collect dust, debris, and possible insects in transit and must be removed in a break-out area before supplies enter clean storage
• C. Shipping cartons take up shelf space needed for decorations
• D. The cartons must first be labeled with room numbers

128. When restocking peel pouches of sutures, a technician places the newest packages behind the older ones so the older stock is picked first. What inventory principle is being applied?

• A. First in, first out rotation
• B. Random selection to distribute wear evenly
• C. Last in, first out rotation
• D. Highest cost items issued first

129. A department is setting up new sterile storage shelving and reviewing common positioning guidance. Which arrangement reflects accepted practice for protecting stored sterile items?

• A. Solid bottom shelves, items kept several inches off the floor, clear of outside walls, and below sprinkler head clearance limits
• B. Items stored directly on the floor for stability
• C. Sterile items stored under the sink where space is unused
• D. Packages pressed against exterior windows for visibility

130. Certain rarely used wrapped sets are kept for many months in a storage annex with more traffic and dust than the main sterile storage room. What accessory helps protect these packages, and when is it applied?

• A. A layer of newspaper taped over the wrap
• B. A sterility maintenance dust cover, applied and sealed after the package has fully cooled following sterilization
• C. Nothing, because dust cannot affect wrapped items
• D. A rubber band wrapped around the pack while still hot

131. Sterile trays must travel through general hospital corridors to reach an outlying surgery suite. How should they be transported?

• A. Stacked on an uncovered utility cart with the soiled returns
• B. Carried loosely in open arms to save cart trips
• C. Slid along the corridor handrails
• D. In a closed or completely covered cart that protects the packages from contamination and damage en route

132. A small hospital has one elevator that must carry both soiled instrument carts going down and sterile case carts going up. How can the facility manage this shared route safely?

• A. Stop transporting soiled instruments and store them on the units
• B. Send soiled and sterile carts together to save elevator trips
• C. Separate soiled and clean transport by using enclosed carts, scheduling trips apart, and cleaning the elevator and carts between uses per policy
• D. Line the elevator floor with sterile wrap before each trip

133. For tomorrow's laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a technician gathers the instruments, supplies, and disposables listed on the surgeon's preference card onto a dedicated cart that will return to decontamination after the case. What is this distribution method called?

• A. The case cart system
• B. Consignment stocking
• C. The crash cart system
• D. A periodic automatic replenishment station

134. Before dispensing a wrapped tray requested by a clinic, the storage technician gives the package a final look. Which findings would stop the tray from being issued?

• A. The tray having been stored on a middle shelf
• B. A clean, dry, undamaged wrap with the external indicator changed
• C. Any tear, moisture, stain, crushed corner, or unchanged external indicator on the package
• D. A firmly attached label and intact indicator tape

135. A manufacturer notifies the facility that a lot of packaged sterile sutures is being recalled for a sterility defect. What is the Sterile Processing response when the affected lot is in its storage areas?

• A. Locate and remove the affected lot, quarantine it from use, document the actions, and follow the recall's return or disposal instructions
• B. Keep issuing the items until the shelf is empty since they were bought in good faith
• C. Donate the recalled product to a clinic
• D. Mix the recalled lot with newer stock to dilute the risk

136. Quarterly inventory review shows a shelf of specialty catheters expired unused, and several crushed packages were discarded from an overstuffed bin. What do these findings represent to the department?

• A. Evidence that more stock should be ordered to replace the losses
• B. Normal, unavoidable costs of running any storage area
• C. A reason to stop stocking specialty items entirely
• D. Preventable waste and loss from overstocking and poor storage practices that inventory control should correct

137. An infusion pump returns from a patient room with its disposable administration tubing still attached and fluid residue on the housing. What is the first step in reprocessing this equipment?

• A. Issue the pump immediately to the next patient since pumps self-clean
• B. Send the pump to storage with tubing attached to keep the set complete
• C. Remove and discard the single-use consumables, then clean and disinfect the pump per its instructions
• D. Submerge the entire pump in detergent solution

138. While wiping down a returned suction unit, a technician notices its power cord insulation is cracked and fraying near the plug. What should be done with this device?

• A. Issue it with a note telling users to avoid touching the cord
• B. Remove it from service, tag the defect, and route it to Biomedical Engineering for repair
• C. Wrap the cord in adhesive tape and send the unit back out
• D. Store it at the back of the shelf for emergencies only

139. A nursing unit requests a hypothermia unit, and the only one on the shelf carries a preventive maintenance sticker that expired last month. How should the request be handled?

• A. Hold the device from issue and route it to Biomedical Engineering for its overdue preventive maintenance check
• B. Let the nursing unit decide whether to accept it
• C. Issue the unit since the sticker is only a suggestion
• D. Peel off the sticker so no one worries about it

140. Cleaned and inspected patient care equipment is staged for the next request. Which storage conditions keep this equipment ready and safe for immediate dispatch?

• A. An outdoor covered loading dock for easy truck access
• B. A clean, dry, secure area with batteries charging as the manufacturer directs
• C. Any hallway alcove near the busiest elevators
• D. The decontamination anteroom where returns are dropped off

141. A hospital struggles to locate its infusion pumps, which disappear into closets and linen chutes across the building. Which tracking approach directly addresses this problem?

• A. Buying more pumps every quarter to cover the missing ones
• B. A tracking system, such as radio frequency identification tags or computerized check-out, that records each device's location and status
• C. Engraving the department's phone number on each pump
• D. Asking staff to remember where they last saw each pump

142. A nurse grabs a sequential compression device pump from the clean equipment room and finds a plastic bag of used sleeves tucked beside it. What should the labeling and handling system have ensured?

• A. That clean and soiled items always share shelving to save space
• B. That sleeves were washed by the nurse and reused across patients
• C. That used single-patient sleeves were discarded after use and that only equipment clearly tagged or covered as clean is staged for issue
• D. That the pump was stored with sleeves attached for convenience

143. Before dispatching a patient care equipment item to the emergency department, the technician performs a quick check. Along with cleanliness, what should be verified before the device leaves?

• A. That the shipping carton it arrived in years ago is still available
• B. That the device powers on and functions as the manufacturer's instructions describe, with required disposables ready for attachment
• C. That the device is older than the one previously sent
• D. That the device matches the wall color of the receiving unit

144. In the cafeteria, a technician recognizes a neighbor's name on the surgical schedule she handled that morning and considers mentioning it to a mutual friend. What obligation applies?

• A. Sharing is acceptable if the friend promises secrecy
• B. Only physicians are bound by patient privacy rules
• C. Patient information encountered at work is confidential under federal privacy law and is never shared outside the care team's need to know
• D. Schedules are public documents once printed

145. An operating room nurse calls, upset that a requested tray arrived missing a key retractor as the case is about to start. Which response models professional service recovery?

• A. Ask the nurse to submit the complaint in writing before anything can be done
• B. Explain that mistakes happen and hang up
• C. Blame the previous shift by name before offering help
• D. Listen without interrupting, acknowledge the problem, arrange the fastest correct solution, and follow up so the root cause is addressed

146. Three requests hit the department at once: a routine restock for a clinic, a tray for a case starting in four hours, and an urgent instrument need for a trauma patient in the operating room now. How should the technician prioritize?

• A. Refer everything to voicemail until the shift ends
• B. Complete the easiest task first to reduce the list
• C. Address the immediate patient need first, communicate timelines to the others, and sequence remaining work by urgency
• D. Handle the requests strictly in the order the calls arrived

147. To reduce instrument turnaround delays, the hospital forms a group with members from Sterile Processing, the operating room, and infection prevention who meet to redesign the workflow together. What kind of team is this?

• A. A social committee planning department events
• B. An external consulting firm
• C. A single-discipline task force of only Sterile Processing staff
• D. A cross-functional team drawing members from multiple departments to solve a shared problem

148. A technician realizes after dispatch that she forgot to place an internal indicator in a tray she assembled, and no one else knows. The tray has not yet been opened. What does professional accountability require?

• A. Ask a coworker to take the blame since they are on better terms with the manager
• B. Say nothing and hope the operating room does not notice
• C. Report the error immediately so the tray can be retrieved and reprocessed before use
• D. Wait to see whether the patient develops an infection

149. A veteran technician signs up for an in-service on a new low-temperature sterilizer and an upcoming industry conference. Why does this continuing education matter in Sterile Processing careers?

• A. Classes exist mainly to fill slow afternoons
• B. Attending events replaces the need to follow written instructions
• C. Education is only useful during the first year on the job
• D. Standards, technologies, and device instructions change constantly, and ongoing education keeps practice current and supports certification maintenance

150. A technician believes a coworker is skipping a required rinse step, but the coworker insists their method is fine. How should the technician handle this disagreement professionally?

• A. Adopt the coworker's shortcut to keep the peace
• B. Check the written procedure and the manufacturer's instructions, discuss the finding respectfully, and involve the supervisor if the practice conflict is not resolved
• C. Argue loudly at the workstation until someone gives in
• D. Post about the coworker on social media