Sterilization
Which method of sterilization uses gamma rays or beta particles and is chiefly used by large manufacturing companies?
ionizing radiation
Which type of surgical instrument must NEVER be immersed in any type of mechanical decontaminating equipment?
powered
What is the term for inanimate objects that harbor microorganisms that contribute to environmental contamination?
fomites
Contamination caused by passage of microorganisms through a sterilized package by way of moisture wicking is termed:
strike-through
What is the name of the outside area of an autoclave where steam is created before injection into the interior compartment?
jacket
Why are instruments placed in perforated or mesh-bottom trays for sterilization?
penetration of sterilant
Cidex™ is the trade name for which of the following methods of sterilization?
glutaraldehyde
What is the weight that AAMI has recommended instrument sets should NOT exceed?
25 pounds
What is the term for the process of lubricating stiffened stainless steel surgical instruments by immersion in a water-soluble solution?
milking
Which sterilization method presents the greatest exposure risk to CSPD personnel, is expensive, and requires the longest total cycle time?
ethylene oxide
Which of the following would be appropriate for soaking instruments covered with bioburden during a surgical procedure?
sterile water
Which of the following would be appropriate for use on animate surfaces?
antiseptic
Before opening any sterilely packaged item, what is MOST important to verify about the package?
integrity of package
. A nonsterile person should approach a sterile area face forward while maintaining a distance of:
12 inches
Which sterilization method is most commonly used, safest, least expensive, and appropriate for the majority of surgical instruments?
saturated steam
Which types of instruments must be cleaned with bristle-brushes on wires, pipe cleaners, or handheld pressure guns?
suction tip lumens
What is the term for the condition of a surgical technologist’s skin after performing a surgical scrub?
surgically clean
Which term means the number of microbes or amount of organic debris on an object at any given time?
bioburden
Which of the following is an acceptable position for placement of a scrubbed, gowned, and gloved surgical technologist’s hands?
clasped together in front at waist level
Which method of chemical sterilization has limitations based on the challenge of diffusion into narrow lumens?
hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
During manual cleaning of surgical instruments, what type of solution should be used?
lukewarm water, detergent, and enzymatic cleaner with neutral pH
How should sterilely attired surgical team members should pass one another
back to back
front to front
rotating 360° around
Which of the following patient care items would be classified as noncritical?
pulse oximeters
When opening a wrapped item such as a gown on a Mayo stand, the contents and wrapper are considered sterile up to what distance from the edge of the wrapper?
1 inch from the edge