CBSPD CASSPT Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician

A returned procedure tray contains an exposed scalpel blade. What should the technician do first?

• ARemove the blade by hand before transport
• BDiscard the blade into an approved sharps container using a neutral technique or safety d…
• CWrap the blade in a towel and continue transport
• DLeave the blade in the tray so assembly staff can identify it

A technician gets high-level disinfectant on exposed skin. Which resource gives the required first-aid and spill information?

• APreference card
• BCount sheet
• CSafety Data Sheet
• DSterilizer printout

Which practice best reduces injury risk when moving a heavy instrument set?

• ACarry it away from the body
• BTwist while placing it on a cart
• CUse a cart or team lift and keep the load close
• DStack it on wrapped sterile packs

Why is one-way workflow from dirty to clean to sterile storage important in an ambulatory surgery processing area?

• AIt removes documentation requirements
• BIt reduces the chance that cleaned or sterile items are recontaminated
• CIt eliminates point-of-use treatment
• DIt lowers validated sterilizer temperatures

A surgeon requests a faster sterilization cycle than the device IFU allows. What is the best response?

• AUse the faster cycle because the surgeon requested it
• BFollow the validated IFU and escalate the conflict through policy
• CRun both cycles and release the first one that finishes
• DUse the faster cycle if the external indicator changes

During assembly, dried blood is found in the box lock of a forceps that came from the washer. What should happen?

• AWipe it with alcohol and package it
• BReturn it for re-cleaning and report or document the cleaning failure
• CSterilize it twice
• DSend it with a note for the operating room

A loaner set arrives late without written reprocessing instructions. What is the safest action?

• AProcess it like a similar set
• BAccept the vendor statement that it is clean
• CHold the set until validated IFU and complete processing information are available
• DSterilize it unwrapped for immediate use

Which practice best protects confidentiality in processing records?

• ADiscuss unusual cases in public hallways
• BUse only minimum necessary patient information and keep records secure
• CPost patient names in sterile storage
• DDiscard implant logs in regular trash

Why are personal hygiene and dress-code rules enforced in processing areas?

• AThey are cosmetic only
• BThey reduce contamination from hair, skin, jewelry, nails, and outside clothing
• CThey replace hand hygiene
• DThey allow work in any area without PPE

Which item most clearly belongs in regulated medical waste?

• AA dry wrapper from an unused sterile pack
• BA clean paper towel
• CA sponge saturated with blood that could release liquid if compressed
• DA clean cardboard shipping box

A power outage interrupts a tabletop steam sterilizer cycle. What should be done with the load?

• ARelease it if the door stayed closed
• BTreat the cycle as interrupted and reprocess according to IFU and policy
• CAdd extra dry time and use it
• DLabel it power outage and send it to storage

A staff member with latex sensitivity is assigned to decontamination. What control is most appropriate?

• ARequire double latex gloves
• BProvide non-latex PPE and reduce latex-containing supplies when feasible
• CHave the staff member work without PPE
• DUse glove powder to reduce contact

Monthly audits show repeated missing lot numbers on sterilization records. What is the best quality-improvement response?

• AGive a verbal reminder only
• BFind where documentation fails, retrain or redesign workflow, and re-audit
• CDiscard incomplete records
• DStop using lot labels for small loads

Which microbial form is used in biological indicators because it is highly resistant to sterilization?

• AVegetative bacteria
• BBacterial spores
• CEnveloped viruses
• DYeast cells

Which scenario is cross-contamination?

• ALabeling a clean pouch before sterilization
• BTouching a cleaned instrument with gloves used for soiled instruments
• CIncubating a biological indicator
• DRotating stock first-in, first-out

Under the Spaulding classification, an instrument that enters sterile tissue must be:

• ACleaned only
• BLow-level disinfected
• CHigh-level disinfected only
• DSterilized

A reusable device contacts mucous membranes but does not enter sterile tissue. What processing level is generally required after cleaning?

• ANo further processing
• BLow-level disinfection only
• CHigh-level disinfection at minimum unless the IFU requires sterilization
• DStorage while wet

Why do instruments from a known or suspected CJD case require special handling?

• APrions are easily killed by low-level disinfectants
• BPrions are unusually resistant to routine disinfection and sterilization
• CCJD spreads mainly through storage-room air
• DPrions multiply rapidly on dry trays

Which condition can support microbial survival or biofilm while a contaminated instrument waits for cleaning?

• ADry sterile storage
• BMoist organic soil left on a device for an extended time
• CA cooled rigid container after sterilization
• DA validated drying phase

A hysteroscope is most closely associated with which procedure type?

• ACardiovascular vessel access
• BGynecologic visualization of the uterus
• COrthopedic bone cutting
• DDental extraction

Which practice reflects Standard Precautions in decontamination?

• AUse PPE only for known infections
• BTreat all used surgical instruments as potentially contaminated
• CHandle eye instruments without gloves
• DSkip hand hygiene after glove removal

Why is delayed cleaning especially risky for lumened or hinged devices?

• ADried soil becomes easier to remove
• BOrganic debris can dry, protect microbes, and form biofilm in hard-to-clean areas
• CSterilizers increase exposure automatically when soil is present
• DLumened devices do not require cleaning before sterilization

What is the main purpose of point-of-use treatment?

• ASterilize instruments before transport
• BPrevent blood and tissue from drying before formal cleaning
• CReplace decontamination cleaning
• DProve the tray is ready for storage

Which PPE is most appropriate for manual cleaning of contaminated instruments?

• ASterile gloves only
• BFluid-resistant gown, heavy-duty gloves, face and eye protection, and mask or face shield…
• CExam gloves only
• DHair cover only

Why must enzymatic detergent be used at the stated dilution, temperature, and contact time?

• AEnzymes work at any conditions
• BIncorrect conditions can reduce soil breakdown or damage devices
• CMore concentrate is always better
• DContact time matters only for sterilization

When manually cleaning a hinged instrument, what is most important?

• AKeep it locked closed
• BOpen it and brush box locks, serrations, and hinges according to IFU
• CClean only outside surfaces
• DUse a metal brush on all stainless steel

Why is fresh ultrasonic solution degassed?

• ATo remove trapped air that interferes with cavitation
• BTo cool the solution below room temperature
• CTo sterilize the tank
• DTo make the lid unnecessary

Which item should generally be kept out of an ultrasonic cleaner unless its IFU allows it?

• AOpened stainless steel hemostat
• BDelicate powered handpiece or optic component with restrictions
• CApproved hinged forceps
• DApproved metal suction tip

Which washer-disinfector loading practice supports effective cleaning?

• AOverload trays
• BPlace basins flat to collect water
• COpen hinged instruments and arrange items for spray contact
• DNest instruments tightly

A washer cleaning-verification test fails. What is the best next step?

• AIgnore it if instruments look clean
• BFollow policy, investigate the cause, and reprocess affected items as needed
• CIncrease sterilization exposure time
• DRecord it only if infection occurs

Before using a reusable high-level disinfectant, what must be verified?

• AThe solution color matches the label
• BThe minimum effective concentration and dating are acceptable
• CThe device will be sterile after rinsing
• DThe test strip can be reused

Which HLD record best supports traceability?

• AFavorite detergent brand
• BDevice identifier, solution test result, exposure time, date or time, and staff initials
• CStorage cabinet color
• DCount from an unrelated tray

What does disinfectant contact time mean?

• AHow long an unopened product is stored
• BHow long the surface or device must remain wet with disinfectant
• CHow long gloves may be worn
• DHow long a sterile package can be stored

Why does water quality matter during cleaning and rinsing?

• AMinerals, pH, and contaminants can affect detergent action, residues, spotting, or corros…
• BAny tap water is acceptable for every device
• CIt affects only hand sinks
• DLonger drying corrects poor water quality

Which processing failure is most associated with TASS risk for eye instruments?

• AUsing lint-free towels
• BLeaving detergent, disinfectant, endotoxin, or other residues on intraocular instruments
• CLot labeling the tray
• DUsing approved instrument racks

Before disposing of used sterilant solution, what should staff do?

• APour it into any sink
• BFollow the SDS, product IFU, and facility disposal policy
• CMix it with bleach
• DStore it unlabeled indefinitely

Why avoid extended soaking of dissimilar metals unless IFU allows it?

• AThey become sterile faster
• BGalvanic action or corrosion can damage surfaces
• CThey become easier to count
• DIt improves detergent shelf life

How should contaminated instruments be transported to decontamination?

• AOpen on a cart
• BIn a covered, leak-resistant, labeled or color-coded container
• CMixed with clean supplies
• DWrapped for sterile storage

Which practice is best for reusable cleaning brushes?

• AUse one all day without cleaning
• BInspect, clean, disinfect or sterilize, dry, and replace according to IFU and policy
• CStore wet in the sink
• DUse damaged bristles for lumens

A suction cannula has a long narrow lumen. What cleaning step is most important?

• AClean only the outside
• BUse the correct-size brush and flush all channels until soil is removed
• CRun it closed inside a basin
• DSkip drying because lumens dry in storage

A blood pressure cuff used only on intact skin is what type of item?

• ACritical
• BSemicritical
• CNoncritical
• DImplantable

Why can very hot water during initial cleaning be a problem?

• AIt may coagulate proteins and make soil harder to remove
• BIt instantly inactivates all detergents
• CIt sterilizes instruments
• DIt eliminates PPE needs

HLD test strips are expired, but the basin solution is within reuse life. What should staff do?

• AUse the strips if they change color
• BDo not use the solution until valid strips confirm MEC
• CSkip MEC testing
• DDouble the contact time

Which part of a ring-handled hemostat is the box lock?

• AFinger rings
• BThe pivot joint where the two halves meet
• CRatchet teeth
• DSerrated tip

Which instrument is most associated with basic orthopedic surgery rather than ophthalmic surgery?

• AOsteotome
• BLacrimal probe
• CEyelid speculum
• DIris forceps

Which peel-pouch practice is correct?

• AFold the pouch around a long instrument
• BDo not overfill, and keep the seal area flat and complete
• CUse staples to reinforce the seal
• DPut multiple heavy instruments in one pouch