IAHCSMM CRCST Practice Test – Chapter 8 Cleaning

Last Updated on April 1, 2025

HSPA [Formerly IAHCSMM] CRCST Practice Test—Chapter 8 Cleaning This practice test is designed to help candidates prepare for the IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management) certification exam. It focuses on the important concepts and principles related to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilizing medical instruments and devices, as Chapter 8 of the CRCST study guide outlines.

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 include appropriate loading and positioning of instruments.
The different steps involved in the washing cycle are the cool pre-rinse, detergent, rinsing, and pure rinse cycle.
Proper inspection and maintenance of washer racks, spray arms, and washer jets to ensure optimal cleaning efficacy.

IAHCSMM CRCST Practice Test – Chapter 8 Cleaning

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CRCST Practice Test - Chapter 8

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

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

Glass

Stainless steel

Plastic

Rubber

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

Reverse osmosis water

Distilled water

Deionized water

Spring water

In which situation is manual cleaning recommended?

For instruments that can be immersed in water.

When the decontamination area has a mechanical method of cleaning.

When used instruments return from repair or refurbishing.

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

What is the purpose of decontamination?

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

To remove all visible debris from the device

To sterilize the device completely

All of the above

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

Saline

Abrasive cleaning compounds

Low foaming manual cleaners

Buffered iodine

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

To sterilize instruments

To remove soil and prevent microbial growth on instruments

To lubricate instruments

To remove rust from instruments

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

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

None of the above

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

To lubricate instruments

To kill microorganisms

To break down soils and debris

To enhance water's cleaning ability

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

Abrasive brushes

Metal bristles

Brushes impregnated with enzymatic detergents

Nylon bristles

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

Acid detergents

Alkaline detergents

Neutral detergents

Enzymatic detergents

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

Acid detergents

Enzymatic detergents

Alkaline detergents

Neutral detergents

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

Microbial count

Biofilm

Bioload

Bioburden

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

Keep them closed

Open them to expose the contents to the washer spray

Keep them closed and cover with a towel

Place them in the washer without the lid or cover

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

Each chemical is different and cannot be substituted for another

The choice of chemicals does not affect the cleaning process

All chemicals have the same function in the decontamination process

Each chemical can be substituted for another

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

Ion exchange

Distillation

Filtration

Reverse osmosis

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

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

They should be cleaned with water anyway

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

It is not important.

It puts patients and staff at risk if not followed.

It saves time.

It prevents damage to instruments.

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

They neutralize alkaline residues

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

They require less rinsing than other types of detergents

They are safe to use on aluminum products

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

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

Comparing the instrument's appearance to a brand new one

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

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

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

They should be used immediately.

They should be cleaned prior to disinfection or sterilization.

They should be inspected and returned to the manufacturer.

They should be sent directly to the operating room.

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

Using only enzymes and detergents recommended by the manufacturer.

Flushing lumens and copious rinsing with the recommended rinse water.

Ignoring the formation of biofilm on instruments.

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

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

Ultrasonic energy

Cavitation

Pressurized spray force action

Sonic wave transmission

What should the temperature range be in the decontamination area?

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

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

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

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

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

To remove all traces of detergent

To sterilize the instruments

To prevent coagulation of proteins

To maximize the effectiveness of detergent action

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

60 degrees Celsius or lower

40 degrees Celsius

80 degrees Celsius

100 degrees Celsius

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

To create more bubbles.

To make the process faster.

To prevent aerosolization.

To avoid damage to the instruments.

What is the primary function of the decontamination area?

To clean instruments and other medical devices

To store instruments

To sterilize instruments

To repair damaged instruments

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

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

Pre-cleaning

Manual cleaning

Mechanical cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning

What is the primary purpose of an ultrasonic cleaner?

Disinfection

Fine cleaning

Lubrication

Sterilization

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

None of the above

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

To remove detergent residues and further assist in removing debris

To wash instruments with detergent or enzymatic solution

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

To dissolve any remaining detergent or enzymatic solution

To sanitize the devices before sterilization

To remove visible soil from the devices

To prevent the redeposit of minerals, microbes, and prions

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

All of the above

Ventilation system and temperature regulation

Construction materials for floors and walls

Centralization and location of the area

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

To clean surfaces

To sterilize instruments

To humidify the environment

To power medical devices and calibrate medical equipment

What is the main function of manual cleaning chemicals?

To lubricate instruments

To remove rust from instruments

To remove soil from instruments

To sterilize instruments

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

Ultrasonic cleaners

Pasteurizers

Cart washers

Automated endoscope reprocessors

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

Proper transport of contaminated devices

All of the above

Centralizing the decontamination function

Constructing floors and walls with appropriate materials

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

To prevent instrument damage

Because scale can interfere with the cleaning ability of the equipment

To make the equipment look better

To increase the lifespan of the equipment

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

The implosion of low-pressure bubbles in a cleaning solution

The agitation of cleaning solution by a mechanical cleaner

The process of generating ultrasonic waves

The coagulation of proteins at high temperatures

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

A severe allergic reaction to anesthesia during eye surgery.

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 contagious infection that affects the interior segment of the eye.

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 ensures the instruments last longer

It guarantees the instrument's functionality

It is essential for the aesthetic appearance of the instruments

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

To kill microorganisms

To remove mineral deposits from instruments

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

To act as a detergent for washing instruments

How should hinged instruments be placed in the ultrasonic cleaner?

Only the tips submerged

Open

Only the hinges submerged

Closed

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

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

To remove debris and detergent residues with plain or softened water

To clean devices with water and detergent or enzymatic solution

To soak the devices in disinfectant solution

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