Question 1

The biological indicator (BI) for the steam sterilization method is:

Accepted Answer

A)  DART 
B)  Bowie-Dick 
C)  Bacillus atrophaeus 
D)  Geobacillus stearothermophilus 
A)  DART 
B)  Bowie-Dick 
C)  Bacillus atrophaeus 
D)  Geobacillus stearothermophilus D

Question 2

When nested basin sets are being sterilized, how should they be placed in the steam sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)  fold side down with a towel used to separate them 
B)  fold side down with tape holding them together securely 
C)  facing upright with a towel used to separate them 
D)  facing upright with tape holding them together securely 
A)  fold side down with a towel used to separate them 
B)  fold side down with tape holding them together securely 
C)  facing upright with a towel used to separate them 
D)  facing upright with tape holding them together securely A

Question 3

Where should the biological test pack be placed on the steam sterilization cart for the first run of the day?

Accepted Answer

A)  top rack, back of sterilizer, under the injection valve 
B)  bottom rack, back of sterilizer, under the injection valve 
C)  top rack, front of sterilizer, over the drain 
D)  bottom rack, front of sterilizer, over the drain 
A)  top rack, back of sterilizer, under the injection valve 
B)  bottom rack, back of sterilizer, under the injection valve 
C)  top rack, front of sterilizer, over the drain 
D)  bottom rack, front of sterilizer, over the drain D

Question 4

Before opening any sterilely packaged item, what is MOST important to verify about the package?

Accepted Answer

A)  date sterilized 
B)  integrity of package 
C)  internal indicator/integrator 
D)  sterilization cycle number 
A)  date sterilized 
B)  integrity of package 
C)  internal indicator/integrator 
D)  sterilization cycle number

Question 5

What is a potential risk of placing surgical instruments of dissimilar metallic type together in a washer sterilizer cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  alarm triggered by washer sterilizer 
B)  bioburden contamination 
C)  electrolytic conduction reaction 
D)  static electrical spark 
A)  alarm triggered by washer sterilizer 
B)  bioburden contamination 
C)  electrolytic conduction reaction 
D)  static electrical spark

Question 6

What is the relationship of steam pressure to temperature in a steam sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increased pressure increases temperature. 
B)  Increased temperature increases pressure. 
C)  Decreased pressure increases temperature. 
D)  Decreased temperature increases pressure. 
A)  Increased pressure increases temperature. 
B)  Increased temperature increases pressure. 
C)  Decreased pressure increases temperature. 
D)  Decreased temperature increases pressure.

Question 7

The recommended biological indicator (BI) for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Bacillus atrophaeus 
B)  Bacillus subtilis 
C)  Geobacillus stearothermophilus 
D)  Staphylococcus aureus 
A)  Bacillus atrophaeus 
B)  Bacillus subtilis 
C)  Geobacillus stearothermophilus 
D)  Staphylococcus aureus

Question 8

Gravity displacement steam sterilizer cycles are much shorter than prevacuum cycles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

How should air hoses of powered instruments or fiber-optic light cords be placed in rigid container trays for sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  bound tightly with rubber bands 
B)  bound loosely with electrical tape 
C)  coiled loosely in perforated or mesh basket 
D)  coiled tightly in sealed peel-pack inside tray 
A)  bound tightly with rubber bands 
B)  bound loosely with electrical tape 
C)  coiled loosely in perforated or mesh basket 
D)  coiled tightly in sealed peel-pack inside tray

Question 10

The physical or chemical process by which all living microorganisms, including spores, are killed is:

Accepted Answer

A)  decontamination 
B)  disinfection 
C)  sanitization 
D)  sterilization 
A)  decontamination 
B)  disinfection 
C)  sanitization 
D)  sterilization

Question 11

How long should the steam biological indicator be incubated before the reading is recorded?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 hour 
B)  6 hours 
C)  12 hours 
D)  24 hours 
A)  1 hour 
B)  6 hours 
C)  12 hours 
D)  24 hours

Question 12

What is the advantage of using ethylene oxide gas sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the safest method of sterilization. 
B)  It has the shortest total cycle time. 
C)  It is the least expensive method. 
D)  It is safe for heat- and moisture-sensitive items. 
A)  It is the safest method of sterilization. 
B)  It has the shortest total cycle time. 
C)  It is the least expensive method. 
D)  It is safe for heat- and moisture-sensitive items.

Question 13

When opening a wrapped item such as a gown on a Mayo stand, the contents and wrapper are considered sterile up to what distance from the edge of the wrapper?

Accepted Answer

A)  all the way to the edge 
B)  1 inch from the edge 
C)  2 inches from the edge 
D)  Only the item itself is sterile. 
A)  all the way to the edge 
B)  1 inch from the edge 
C)  2 inches from the edge 
D)  Only the item itself is sterile.

Question 14

What is the term for inanimate objects that harbor microorganisms that contribute to environmental contamination?

Accepted Answer

A)  flora 
B)  fomites 
C)  vectors 
D)  viruses 
A)  flora 
B)  fomites 
C)  vectors 
D)  viruses

Question 15

Contamination caused by passage of microorganisms through a sterilized package by way of moisture wicking is termed:

Accepted Answer

A)  saturation 
B)  strike-through 
C)  solubilization 
D)  sequestration 
A)  saturation 
B)  strike-through 
C)  solubilization 
D)  sequestration

Question 16

What is the term for the condition of a surgical technologist's skin after performing a surgical scrub?

Accepted Answer

A)  bacteriostatic 
B)  nosocomial 
C)  surgically clean 
D)  terminally sterile 
A)  bacteriostatic 
B)  nosocomial 
C)  surgically clean 
D)  terminally sterile

Question 17

Which types of instruments must be cleaned with bristle-brushes on wires, pipe cleaners, or handheld pressure guns?

Accepted Answer

A)  microsurgical scissors 
B)  self-retaining retractors 
C)  suction tip lumens 
D)  tissue forceps 
A)  microsurgical scissors 
B)  self-retaining retractors 
C)  suction tip lumens 
D)  tissue forceps

Question 18

The relative humidity in an ethylene oxide sterilizer should be below 30% to aid in the penetration of the gas through bacterial spores' protective coating.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

What is the type of process the ultrasonic cleaner uses to dislodge minute particles of soil and organic debris?

Accepted Answer

A)  cavitation 
B)  chelation 
C)  emulsification 
D)  solubilization 
A)  cavitation 
B)  chelation 
C)  emulsification 
D)  solubilization

Question 20

Match each term below with its description.
-Bacterial species that can survive in environmental extremes and whose genetic material is enclosed within a protein capsule until conditions are favorable for reproduction

Accepted Answer

A) Prions 
B) Helminths 
C) Spores 
D) Prokaryotes 
E) Helicobacter pylori
F)Zygomycosis
G)Viruses
H)Clostridium perfringens
I)Flagella
J)Staphylococcus aureus 
A) Prions 
B) Helminths 
C) Spores 
D) Prokaryotes 
E) Helicobacter pylori
F)Zygomycosis
G)Viruses
H)Clostridium perfringens
I)Flagella
J)Staphylococcus aureus

Exam 7: Preventing Perioperative Disease and Transmission

The biological indicator (BI) for the steam sterilization method is:

When nested basin sets are being sterilized, how should they be placed in the steam sterilizer?

Where should the biological test pack be placed on the steam sterilization cart for the first run of the day?

Before opening any sterilely packaged item, what is MOST important to verify about the package?

What is a potential risk of placing surgical instruments of dissimilar metallic type together in a washer sterilizer cycle?

What is the relationship of steam pressure to temperature in a steam sterilizer?

The recommended biological indicator (BI) for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma is:

Gravity displacement steam sterilizer cycles are much shorter than prevacuum cycles.

How should air hoses of powered instruments or fiber-optic light cords be placed in rigid container trays for sterilization?

The physical or chemical process by which all living microorganisms, including spores, are killed is:

How long should the steam biological indicator be incubated before the reading is recorded?

What is the advantage of using ethylene oxide gas sterilization?

When opening a wrapped item such as a gown on a Mayo stand, the contents and wrapper are considered sterile up to what distance from the edge of the wrapper?

What is the term for inanimate objects that harbor microorganisms that contribute to environmental contamination?

Contamination caused by passage of microorganisms through a sterilized package by way of moisture wicking is termed:

What is the term for the condition of a surgical technologist's skin after performing a surgical scrub?

Which types of instruments must be cleaned with bristle-brushes on wires, pipe cleaners, or handheld pressure guns?

The relative humidity in an ethylene oxide sterilizer should be below 30% to aid in the penetration of the gas through bacterial spores' protective coating.

What is the type of process the ultrasonic cleaner uses to dislodge minute particles of soil and organic debris?

Match each term below with its description. -Bacterial species that can survive in environmental extremes and whose genetic material is enclosed within a protein capsule until conditions are favorable for reproduction

Orientation to Surgical Technology

Legal Concepts, Risk Management, and Ethical Issues

The Surgical Patient

Special Populations

Physical Environment and Safety Standards

Biomedical Science

Emergency Situations and All-Hazards Preparation

Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia

Instrumentation, Equipment, and Supplies

Hemostasis, Wound Healing, and Wound Closure

Surgical Case Management

Diagnostic Procedures

General Surgery

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Ophthalmic Surgery

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