Sterilization Review
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Be able to list three purposes of hospital asepsis. (Read section one of your packet)
What is the purpose of sterilization?
(Destruction of microorganisms and spores)
Know the levels of disinfection (L-I high level critical, L-II intermediate semicritical, LIII, low non critical)
Be able to apply the levels to situations
Know the difference between gravity displacement and pre-vacuum steam autoclaves.
(Gravity the steam pushes out the air, prevacuum the air is sucked out of the machine)
What is bioburden?
(number of microorganisms on a surface)
What instruments do you sterilize in a Steris machine and what type of chemical is utilized in Steris?
(scopes, peracetic acid)
Which type of sterilization is the cheapest to use and is very efficient?
(steam)
What is the major issue with the use of flash sterilizers?
(sterile transfer of item to room)
The use of agitated water and detergent is part of which sterilizer? (Washer)
What type of heat is used in a steam sterilizer?
(moist)
What types of monitors are used in mechanical monitoring? (thermometer, timers, pressure gauges and
recording devices)
How long does it take to sterilize an instrument in glutaraldehyde according to AST? (10 hours)
What is the purpose of biological monitors? (they assure sterility)
What type of equipment utilizes cavitation with high intensity sound waves? (ultrasonic)
At the end of a procedure, household instruments that have ratchets be in the instrument tray?
(Open/disassembled)
The use of anodized aluminum, stainless steel, polymer metals that can’t be punctured is referred to as
____________.
(rigid containers)
Before packaging instruments for sterilization what should be done by personnel? (inspection for any
defects)
What sterilization monitor uses live, nonpathogenic spores?
(biological)
What must sterilization wrapper provide in the sterilization process? (the ability for the sterilant to get
through to the instrument)
What position should instruments be in for the sterilization process? (open)
What is bio-resistance?
(the resistance of a bacteria to the sterilant)
What is mechanical cleaning?
(use of water, detergent and brushing)
What type of radiation is a means of sterilization? (Ionizing)
What are chemical indicators?
(heat sensitive tape and paperstrips)
What is done after the manual wash in central sterile supply?
(washer sterilizer)
What chemical would you use to kill Clostridium difficile (C diff)?
(bleach)
What should you do during a surgical procedure if the instruments are bloody?
( wipe them with a
sponge with sterile water not saline)
What package uses self-sealing or heat seal?
(peal packs)
What type of disinfectant process is used after the patient leaves the room?
(terminal)
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
When would milking of instruments occur?
(during decontamination and cleaning)
What is aeration? (the time between sterilization and storage or use)
What is the temperature range for steam sterilization?
(250-300oF)
What should be put in the bottom of an instrument tray for stream sterilization? (placement of a towel)
Where should the biological test be placed in the steam sterilization?
(the cold area)
What bacteria is present in the bacterial indicator? (spore)
At the minimum, steam sterilizers should be tested with a biological test ___________. (weekly)
How long does a device have to be left in a patient for it to be considered an implant according to the FDA?
(30 days)
What is the disadvantage of ETO biological testing? (The spore may wash off from the filter paperstrip)
What do biological indicators tell the OR staff? (parameters of sterilization have been met)
Who uses ioninzing radiation sterilization? (surgical equipment manufacturers)
What is a benefit of ionizing radiation? ( ability to immediately use the items)
What is ionizing radiation used for? (sterilization, angiograms, and x-rays)
What type of sterilizer is used for “flash sterilization”? (pre-vac or gravity displacement)
What are Glutaraldehyde characteristics? (colorless, oily and liquid)
What is the purpose of ozone gas sterilization?
(converts oxygen into ozone to penetrate cell
membrane, oxidizes bacteria, destroying them)
What are the trade names for glutaraldehyde?
(Cidex®, Onmicide®, Metricide®)
What is the temperature range for Sterrad (hydrogen peroxide)? (45o-55oC)
What are the advantages of using hydrogen peroxide as a sterilant? (no disposal issues, quick cycle time,
inactivates cryptosporidium)
Chlorine dioxide gas sterilization occurs at what speed and what temperature? (rapid, and 77oF-86oF)
What are the disadvantages of chlorine dioxide gas sterilization?
(corrosive to metals and may not
penetrate paper wrappers)
What is it called when the patient contracts an infection in the hospital?
(hospital acquired or
nosocomial)
What is the purpose of the decontamination process?
(prevent infection)
What is the definition of the term cavitation?
(formation of gas bubbles which helps to loosen debrie
from the instruments
When lubricating instruments, what can’t be used? (oil)