Free CRCST Exam Flashcards

Removal of visible and non-visible soil from medical devices. Cleaning is the first and most critical step because soil can block disinfection or sterilization.

The process of making contaminated items safe to handle by cleaning and reducing microorganisms. It protects staff and prepares devices for further processing.

Keeping instruments moist and removing gross soil at the site of use. It prevents bioburden from drying, which makes later cleaning harder.

Hand cleaning using water, detergent, brushes, and friction. It is needed for delicate, complex, or hard-to-access devices and must follow the device IFU.

Cleaning with equipment such as washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, or cart washers. Mechanical methods improve consistency but still require correct loading and verification.

A device that uses sound waves and cavitation to remove soil from instrument surfaces. It is useful for joints, serrations, and hard-to-brush areas.

Automated equipment that cleans and thermally disinfects devices. It is commonly used because it standardizes cleaning steps and reduces staff exposure.

A cleaning agent that breaks down organic soils such as blood, protein, fat, or starch. Correct dilution, temperature, and contact time are essential.

Water used for cleaning and final rinsing affects device safety. Poor water can leave minerals, residues, or contaminants that interfere with processing.

Personal protective equipment includes gloves, fluid-resistant gowns, face protection, and shoe covers as required. PPE protects staff from sharps, splashes, and bioburden.

Infection prevention practices used for all items and patients because contamination status may be unknown. They reduce exposure to bloodborne and body fluid hazards.

Sterile processing areas should move from dirty to clean to sterile storage. Separation prevents cross-contamination between contaminated items and processed supplies.

Handling sharp instruments carefully and using approved containers or procedures prevents punctures and bloodborne exposure. Never reach blindly into trays or sinks.

Instructions for Use from the device or product manufacturer. IFUs matter because validated cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and maintenance steps are device-specific.

Examining cleaned instruments for soil, damage, function, alignment, and completeness. Sterilizing a dirty or broken instrument can create patient safety risk.

Placing correct instruments in the correct tray according to count sheets and facility procedures. Accurate assembly supports surgical readiness and reduces delays.

Hinged instruments should generally be opened for sterilization according to IFU. Open hinges allow sterilant contact with surfaces that could otherwise be shielded.

Packaging allows sterilant penetration, maintains sterility after processing, and permits aseptic presentation. The package must fit the method, item, and storage conditions.

A reusable sterilization container with filters or valves that allow sterilant exchange. It protects contents but must be cleaned, inspected, and assembled correctly.

A paper-plastic package for small, light items. Proper sizing, sealing, and placement are important so sterilant enters and the item can be opened aseptically.

A device or strip that changes when exposed to sterilization conditions. It shows exposure, not sterility, and must be interpreted according to instructions.

A test containing resistant microorganisms used to verify the sterilization process can kill spores. It provides stronger evidence of process effectiveness than chemical indicators.

Sterilizer printouts, gauges, or electronic records that show time, temperature, pressure, or other cycle parameters. They are reviewed for each cycle.

A common high-temperature method using saturated steam under pressure. Effective steam sterilization requires air removal, correct temperature, exposure time, and drying.

Key parameters include time, temperature, steam contact, and pressure as specified for the cycle. Incorrect parameters can lead to failed sterilization.

Sterilant must contact all surfaces of the item. Overloading, closed hinges, trapped air, or wrong packaging can prevent contact and cause failure.

The cycle portion that removes moisture from packages. Wet packs can wick microorganisms into sterile barriers and are usually considered contaminated.

A low-temperature sterilization method for heat- or moisture-sensitive devices. It requires aeration because residual gas can be toxic to patients and staff.

A process that destroys many microorganisms but is not the same as sterilization. It is used for certain semi-critical devices according to IFU.

Confidence that a process consistently produces sterile items when all validated steps are followed. It depends on cleaning, packaging, monitoring, and storage together.

Reusable equipment such as pumps, monitors, beds, and compression devices that may require cleaning, testing, and tracking. Safe processing prevents cross-contamination.

Patient care equipment must be cleaned according to IFU and facility policy before reuse. Missed surfaces can transmit organisms between patients.

Scheduled inspection and service to keep equipment functioning safely. It reduces failures, supports readiness, and documents that devices are maintained.

Borrowed vendor trays or devices that must arrive with complete IFUs and enough time for receiving, inspection, cleaning, and sterilization. Rushing increases risk.

Manual or electronic systems that record item location, processing history, and use. Tracking supports recalls, quality review, and accountability.

A controlled area where processed items are protected from moisture, dust, damage, and excessive handling. Storage conditions help maintain package integrity.

Sterility is maintained until an event compromises the package, such as moisture, tear, puncture, or improper handling. Dates help rotation but package integrity is key.

First In, First Out rotates older stock before newer stock. FIFO reduces waste, supports expiration control, and keeps inventory moving predictably.

The target quantity of supplies to keep on hand. PAR levels help avoid stockouts while limiting overstock and expired supplies.

A cart prepared with supplies and instruments for a specific procedure. Accurate case carts support operating room efficiency and reduce last-minute substitutions.

Removing items from use because a processing problem or product issue may make them unsafe. Tracking records help identify affected loads and locations.

Planned activities that verify processes meet standards, such as audits, monitoring, and competency checks. Quality assurance catches drift before it harms patients.

Documented confirmation that staff can perform tasks correctly. It matters because sterile processing work must be consistent, technical, and aligned with current procedures.

Records of cleaning, sterilization, testing, maintenance, distribution, and incidents. Documentation proves what happened and supports traceability, audits, and recalls.

A notice that a product or device may be defective or unsafe. Staff must follow facility procedures to identify, quarantine, and document affected items.

Acting honestly, following standards, reporting problems, and protecting patients even when shortcuts seem convenient. Ethics matter because patients depend on unseen processing work.

Working within assigned duties, training, and facility policy. Staying within scope protects patients, staff, and the organization from unsafe decisions.

Designing work to reduce strain, awkward posture, and repetitive injury. Safe lifting, cart handling, and workstation setup protect sterile processing staff.

Safety Data Sheets explain chemical hazards, PPE, storage, spill response, and first aid. Staff use SDS information to handle detergents and disinfectants safely.

Reporting errors, injuries, exposure, damaged items, or process failures through the proper channel. Reporting supports patient safety and process improvement.