CRCST Chapter 14 (8th Edition) Review Quiz

If water is seen on the outside of a pack after sterilization, it indicates that the pack has not been properly sterilized and there may be a breach in the packaging. This means that the pack is not safe to use, even if all other packs in the load are dry. The presence of water suggests that there is a potential for contamination, and using the pack could pose a risk to the patient or user. Therefore, the statement is false.

Central Service technicians need to understand the anatomy of a steam sterilizer in order to know how the sterilizer operates. This knowledge is crucial for them to effectively and safely operate the sterilizer, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise during its use. Understanding how the sterilizer operates includes knowing the different components of the sterilizer, such as the chamber, valves, and controls, and how they work together to achieve sterilization. This knowledge also helps technicians to follow proper cleaning and maintenance procedures, ensuring the sterilizer functions optimally and meets the necessary standards for sterilization.

Improperly packaged or loaded packs on the sterilizer cart can lead to wet packs. This could be due to factors such as inadequate sealing of the packaging materials or overcrowding of the cart, which prevents proper steam circulation during the sterilization process. As a result, condensation may form inside the packs, causing them to become wet. Therefore, the statement is true.

The higher the bioburden on an object, the more difficult it will be to sterilize. This is because bioburden refers to the number of microorganisms present on the object, and a higher bioburden means a higher number of microorganisms that need to be killed or removed during the sterilization process. The more microorganisms there are, the more time, heat, or chemicals will be required to effectively sterilize the object. Therefore, a higher bioburden makes the sterilization process more challenging and may require more rigorous methods to ensure complete sterilization.

After sterilization, the load contents need time to cool down because the sterilization process involves the use of high temperatures to kill microorganisms. If the load contents are not allowed to cool down properly, they may be damaged or become ineffective. Therefore, it is necessary to wait for at least two hours or more before handling the sterilized items to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Peel pouches should be placed on edge, paper to plastic, for sterilization. This positioning ensures that the paper side of the pouch is on the outside, which allows for better steam penetration during the sterilization process. Placing the pouch on edge also helps to prevent any condensation from accumulating inside the pouch, which could compromise the sterilization effectiveness.

Items that are designed to be sterilized using a standard steam sterilization cycle, as recommended by the manufacturer, may be damaged if they are subjected to an extended cycle. This suggests that the extended cycle may involve higher temperatures, longer exposure times, or other conditions that could potentially harm the items. Therefore, it is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the sterilization process.

The sterilizer's strainer should be removed and cleaned daily to ensure proper functioning and prevent the buildup of debris or contaminants. Regular cleaning of the strainer helps maintain the sterilizer's efficiency and prevents clogs that could affect its performance.

The statement is false because immediate use steam sterilization is not a process to sterilize trays for future use. Instead, it is a method used to sterilize trays that will be used immediately after the sterilization process. This method is typically used in healthcare settings where trays need to be sterilized quickly and efficiently for immediate use in medical procedures.

Wood products do not need to be sterilized in an extended steam cycle. Sterilization is typically required for medical equipment or items that come into contact with bodily fluids. Wood products can be treated with other methods such as heat treatment or chemical treatment to prevent pests or decay, but sterilization is not necessary. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

This statement is false. When combining loads, hard goods should not be placed on the top shelves. Hard goods are typically heavier and placing them on the top shelves can make it more difficult to remove the condensate efficiently. It is recommended to place hard goods on lower shelves to ensure stability and ease of access.

The design of a medical device can indeed affect the steam sterilization process. The effectiveness of steam sterilization relies on the ability of steam to penetrate all areas of the device and reach the necessary temperature for sterilization. If the design of the device is complex or has small crevices or dead spaces, it may hinder the steam from reaching all areas, leading to incomplete sterilization. Therefore, it is important to consider the design of the medical device when choosing a sterilization method.

The factors that can cause sterilant contact failure with the instrument are crowded loads and a clogged drain strainer. When the sterilant is unable to reach all surfaces of the instrument due to overcrowding, it may not effectively kill all microorganisms present. Similarly, a clogged drain strainer can prevent proper drainage of water and sterilant, leading to inadequate contact and sterilization. These factors highlight the importance of ensuring proper spacing and organization of instruments during sterilization, as well as regular maintenance of equipment to prevent clogging.

When loading a steam sterilizer, basins should be placed on edge. This is because placing them in an upright position or in a wire basket may prevent the steam from reaching all areas of the basin, leading to inadequate sterilization. By placing the basins on edge, the steam can circulate freely and effectively sterilize the entire basin.

The weakest part of a steam sterilizer is the door. The door is the component that is most prone to wear and tear, as it is constantly being opened and closed during the sterilization process. It is also exposed to high temperatures and pressure, which can cause damage over time. A faulty or weak door can compromise the effectiveness of the sterilizer, leading to potential contamination and inadequate sterilization of instruments or equipment. Therefore, ensuring the door is in good condition is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and reliability of the steam sterilizer.

The most common reason for steam sterilization failure is lack of steam contact with the instrument. This means that the instrument may not have been properly positioned or wrapped, preventing the steam from reaching all areas and effectively sterilizing the instrument. Insufficient temperature and inadequate exposure time can also contribute to sterilization failure, but lack of steam contact is the most common issue. Drying issues, on the other hand, are not directly related to sterilization failure but can affect the overall cleanliness and usability of the instrument.

The thermostatic trap is the coolest place in a steam sterilizer because it is designed to remove condensate and cool down the steam before it enters the chamber. This helps to maintain a consistent temperature inside the sterilizer and prevent overheating. The gasket, jacket, and chamber are all areas that are exposed to higher temperatures during the sterilization process.

The correct answer is tape. Tape can easily accumulate in drain screens and cause clogs. This can happen when tape is accidentally dropped or disposed of in sinks or drains. Over time, the tape can build up and block the flow of water, leading to a clogged drain screen. It is important to properly dispose of tape and avoid letting it enter the drainage system to prevent clogs.

The correct answer is conditioning, exposure and exhaust. In a terminal steam sterilizer cycle, conditioning refers to the phase where the chamber is heated and pressurized to create the necessary conditions for sterilization. Exposure is the phase where the items being sterilized are exposed to the high temperature and pressure steam. Exhaust is the phase where the chamber is depressurized and the steam is removed. These three phases are crucial in ensuring that the items are properly sterilized and safe for use.

Steam flush pressure pulse sterilizers are not a type of gravity sterilizers. Gravity sterilizers use gravity to remove air from the chamber before the sterilization process, while steam flush pressure pulse sterilizers use steam and pressure pulses to remove air and ensure effective sterilization. Therefore, the correct answer is False.