IAHCSMM CRCST Practice Test

CRCST Practice Test – Chapter 8: This is designed to help candidates prepare for the IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management) certification exam. This practice test focuses on the important concepts and principles related to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical instruments and devices as outlined in Chapter 8 of the CRCST study guide.

The practice test consists of multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of topics, including:

The proper use and maintenance of ultrasonic cleaners and mechanical impingement washers.
The importance of degassing solutions in ultrasonic cleaners.
The handling and placement of various types of medical instruments during the cleaning process.
Factors to consider when using washer-disinfectants, including appropriate loading and positioning of instruments.
The different steps involved in the washing cycle, such as the cool pre-rinse, detergent cycle, rinsing, and pure rinse cycle.
Proper inspection and maintenance of washer racks, spray arms, and washer jets to ensure optimal cleaning efficacy.

CRCST Practice Test – Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - Test

961

CRCST Practice Test - Chapter 8

CRCST Practice Test - Chapter 8
Total Items: 45
Time Limit: N/A
Multiple Choice Quiz

What should be done with new or repaired instruments received in the central sterile department?

They should be used immediately.

They should be sent directly to the operating room.

They should be cleaned prior to disinfection or sterilization.

They should be inspected and returned to the manufacturer.

In a three-sink arrangement for manual cleaning, what is the purpose of the intermediate rinse sink?

To perform a final rinse with distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis water

To remove detergent residues and further assist in removing debris

None of the above

To wash instruments with detergent or enzymatic solution

What are some factors that should be considered when planning the decontamination area?

Ventilation system and temperature regulation

Construction materials for floors and walls

Centralization and location of the area

All of the above

What term refers to the presence of a low number of microorganisms on a surface after proper cleaning and rinsing?

Microbial count

Bioburden

Biofilm

Bioload

What is the main purpose of the cool pre-rinse step in a mechanical impingement washer?

To maximize the effectiveness of detergent action

To remove all traces of detergent

To sterilize the instruments

To prevent coagulation of proteins

Why is it important to use distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis water in the final rinse sink?

To remove visible soil from the devices

To sanitize the devices before sterilization

To prevent the redeposit of minerals, microbes, and prions

To dissolve any remaining detergent or enzymatic solution

Which of the following factors must be considered when planning a decontamination area?

All of the above

Constructing floors and walls with appropriate materials

Proper transport of contaminated devices

Centralizing the decontamination function

What should be done with instruments that cannot be immersed in water, such as power equipment and cameras?

They don't need to be cleaned at all

They should be submerged in a cleaning solution instead of water

They should be cleaned with water anyway

The device manufacturer's instructions for use should be reviewed to ensure proper cleaning methods are used

What is the definition of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS)?

A contagious infection that affects the interior segment of the eye.

An acute postoperative inflammatory reaction where a non-infectious substance enters the interior segment and induces toxic damage to intraocular tissues.

A rare form of glaucoma.

A severe allergic reaction to anesthesia during eye surgery.

What is the purpose of pre-cleaning in the decontamination process?

To sterilize instruments

To remove soil and prevent microbial growth on instruments

To remove rust from instruments

To lubricate instruments

What is the importance of selecting the proper chemical for each job in the decontamination area?

All chemicals have the same function in the decontamination process

Each chemical is different and cannot be substituted for another

Each chemical can be substituted for another

The choice of chemicals does not affect the cleaning process

What is the purpose of brushing instruments under the surface of the water during manual cleaning?

To prevent aerosolization.

To make the process faster.

To avoid damage to the instruments.

To create more bubbles.

What should be done after filling the ultrasonic cleaner to ensure proper cleaning?

Run the cleaner with the lid open

Use detergent with high foaming properties

Fill the cleaner while it is running

Degass the solution

In the context of ultrasonic cleaners, what does "cavitation" refer to?

The coagulation of proteins at high temperatures

The agitation of cleaning solution by a mechanical cleaner

The process of generating ultrasonic waves

The implosion of low-pressure bubbles in a cleaning solution

What is the primary purpose of an ultrasonic cleaner?

Lubrication

Fine cleaning

Sterilization

Disinfection

What type of detergent is primarily used to remove mineral deposits such as hard water, urine minerals, and scale?

Enzymatic detergents

Acid detergents

Alkaline detergents

Neutral detergents

What should the temperature range be in the decontamination area?

50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-13 degrees Celsius)

70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius)

80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (27-29 degrees Celsius)

60-65 degrees Fahrenheit (16-18 degrees Celsius)

Why should instruments from back up stock be cleaned prior to use?

They are already sterile and ready for use

They have a protective coating that needs to be removed

They have been hanging on walls and stored in drawers for some time, and could have been handled multiple times and contain dust and other contaminants

They are brand new and don't need cleaning

Which of the following is NOT a recommendation to reduce the risk of TASS in the decontamination area?

Flushing lumens and copious rinsing with the recommended rinse water.

Using only enzymes and detergents recommended by the manufacturer.

Ignoring the formation of biofilm on instruments.

Carefully following all manufacturer's instructions for use in cleaning.

What is the purpose of using instrument air in healthcare facilities?

To clean surfaces

To sterilize instruments

To power medical devices and calibrate medical equipment

To humidify the environment

Which of the following materials should NOT be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner?

Rubber

Stainless steel

Plastic

Glass

Which type of detergent is most commonly used in the U.S. for cleaning surgical instruments?

Enzymatic detergents

Alkaline detergents

Neutral detergents

Acid detergents

What is the purpose of decontamination?

All of the above

To make a device safe for people who are not wearing gloves and to reduce bio burden

To sterilize the device completely

To remove all visible debris from the device

Why is thorough cleaning and adherence to IFUs important in the decontamination process?

It saves time.

It puts patients and staff at risk if not followed.

It is not important.

It prevents damage to instruments.

What is the main function of manual cleaning chemicals?

To lubricate instruments

To sterilize instruments

To remove soil from instruments

To remove rust from instruments

What is the importance of a successful cleaning process in the sterilization process?

The success of disinfection and sterilization process depends on a successful cleaning process

It guarantees the instrument's functionality

It ensures the instruments last longer

It is essential for the aesthetic appearance of the instruments

What is the primary purpose of enzymatic cleaners in the decontamination process?

To break down soils, stains, and other debris on heavily soiled instruments

To kill microorganisms

To act as a detergent for washing instruments

To remove mineral deposits from instruments

When using a washer disinfectant, what should be done with trays with lids or covers?

Open them to expose the contents to the washer spray

Keep them closed and cover with a towel

Keep them closed

Place them in the washer without the lid or cover

Which of the following is NOT a recommended cleaning agent for medical instruments, unless specified by the manufacturer?

Buffered iodine

Saline

Low foaming manual cleaners

Abrasive cleaning compounds

Which of the following is a method commonly used to check instruments for cleanliness?

Weighing the instrument to see if it has any debris on it

Using a strong chemical solution to see if the instrument changes color

Swabbing the item after it has been cleaned and processing the swab to determine if there is residual soil present

Comparing the instrument's appearance to a brand new one

Which of the following is NOT a type of cleaning method mentioned in the text?

Manual cleaning

Pre-cleaning

Mechanical cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning

What is the primary function of the decontamination area?

To clean instruments and other medical devices

To store instruments

To repair damaged instruments

To sterilize instruments

What is the importance of using distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis water for the final rinse in the cleaning process?

None of the above

To wash instruments with detergent or enzymatic solution

To remove detergent residues and further assist in removing debris

To prevent instrument spotting, rinse off cleaning chemical residues, and prevent redeposit of minerals and microbes

Which of the following is NOT a suitable brush type for cleaning surgical instruments?

Nylon bristles

Metal bristles

Brushes impregnated with enzymatic detergents

Abrasive brushes

Which of the following mechanical cleaning devices uses cavitation to remove soil from difficult-to-reach areas of instruments?

Ultrasonic cleaners

Pasteurizers

Cart washers

Automated endoscope reprocessors

How should hinged instruments be placed in the ultrasonic cleaner?

Open

Closed

Only the hinges submerged

Only the tips submerged

Which process involves the removal of impurities in water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane?

Ion exchange

Filtration

Reverse osmosis

Distillation

Why is it important to use a descaling product when scale is detected in cleaning equipment?

To make the equipment look better

To increase the lifespan of the equipment

Because scale can interfere with the cleaning ability of the equipment

To prevent instrument damage

What is the primary advantage of alkaline detergents in the decontamination process?

They are safe to use on aluminum products

They require less rinsing than other types of detergents

They neutralize alkaline residues

They remove a wider range of soil than any other type of detergent

In which situation is manual cleaning recommended?

When the decontamination area has a mechanical method of cleaning.

For all items that require manual cleaning as part of their instructions to use.

For instruments that can be immersed in water.

When used instruments return from repair or refurbishing.

In a three-sink arrangement for manual cleaning, what should be the purpose of the second sink (intermediate rinse)?

To clean devices with water and detergent or enzymatic solution

To provide a final rinse with distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis water

To remove debris and detergent residues with plain or softened water

To soak the devices in disinfectant solution

What type of water is produced through the ion exchange process, which removes all minerals?

Reverse osmosis water

Deionized water

Spring water

Distilled water

What is the optimal temperature for using enzyme-based products during the decontamination process?

60 degrees Celsius or lower

80 degrees Celsius

100 degrees Celsius

40 degrees Celsius

What is the primary reason for using detergents during the instrument cleaning process?

To enhance water's cleaning ability

To break down soils and debris

To kill microorganisms

To lubricate instruments

What is the main principle on which mechanical impingement washers work?

Sonic wave transmission

Pressurized spray force action

Ultrasonic energy

Cavitation

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