Download Full CRCST Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide 9th Edition and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity!
FREE CRCST Practice Test 2025 Official Study
Guide 9th Edition
What is the primary role of a sterile processing technician?-correct ans -
To ensure the sterilization and cleanliness of medical instruments
What does the term "asepsis" mean?-correct ans -
Free from infection or infectious material
Which body system is most relevant to understanding the sterilization needs of surgical instruments?- correct ans -
Skeletal system
Which type of microorganism is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?- correct ans -
Bacteria
Which organization is responsible for setting standards for sterile processing?-correct ans -
AAMI
What is the first step in the decontamination process at the point of use?-correct ans -
Rinsing with water
What is the primary goal of the cleaning process?-correct ans -
Removal of visible soil and contaminants
What is the difference between high-level disinfection and low-level disinfection?-correct ans -
High-level disinfection kills all microorganisms; low-level disinfection does not
Which type of surgical instrument is used to hold tissue?-correct ans -
Forceps
What is a common issue with complex surgical instruments that technicians must monitor?-correct ans -
Mechanical failure
What is the most common method of high-temperature sterilization?-correct ans -
Steam
Which method of low-temperature sterilization is often used for heat-sensitive instruments?-correct ans -
Ethylene oxide
Which system is commonly used to track instruments and sterilization cycles?-correct ans -
Instrument Tracking System (ITS)
You receive a new type of surgical instrument with unfamiliar components. What should you do first?- correct ans -
Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU)
What is a biological indicator?-correct ans -
A preparation of living spores resistant to the sterilizing agent
What is the purpose of a chemical indicator on a package?-correct ans -
To differentiate between sterilized and unsterilized items
What are some devices that monitor the functions of sterilizers?-correct ans -
Gauges, thermometers, timers, and/or recorders
What parameter affects all other dependent parameters in ethylene oxide sterilization?-correct ans -
Gas concentration
What is the basis of the steam sterilization process?-correct ans -
Direct saturated steam contact with items to be sterilized
What sterilization method is used for items that are heat or moisture sensitive?-correct ans -
Ethylene oxide sterilization
What is the purpose of adding moisture to heat during sterilization?-correct ans -
To hasten the process of thermal destruction of microbial life
Which type of microorganism is the most resistant of all living organisms?-correct ans -
Bacterial spores
What are recipe cards used for in the assembly and packaging process?-correct ans -
To provide instructions for assembling each set or tray
What should be inspected on instruments after cleaning before they are packaged for reuse or storage?-correct ans -
The surface and crannies for gross soil, jaws and teeth of hinged instruments, sharpness of cutting edges
What is the purpose of the ultrasonic washer in the decontamination process?-correct ans -
To remove fine soil from surgical instruments after manual cleaning and before sterilization
What is the purpose of the Decontamination Area in a Sterile Processing Department?-correct ans -
To clean and decontaminate reusable equipment, instruments, and supplies
What happens to items after assembly or sterilization in a Sterile Processing Department?-correct ans
They are transferred to the sterile storage area
What is the purpose of a combining vowel in medical terms?-correct ans -
To aid in pronunciation
Where do most medical terms come from?-correct ans -
Latin and Greek
What is the definition of anatomy?-correct ans -
The study of the structure and relationship between body parts
What is the function of the muscular system?-correct ans -
To produce heat, maintain body posture and position, and move body fluids
What is the function of the cardiac muscle?-correct ans -
To pump blood throughout the body
Which type of muscle is called involuntary or visceral muscles because they function without our conscious control?-correct ans -
smooth muscle
Which type of muscle is attached to bones by tendons and can be consciously controlled?-correct ans -
Skeletal muscle
What is the purpose of trigger-finger release surgery?-correct ans -
To widen the tendon sheath tunnel and allow a tendon to slide through more easily
Which surgical procedure involves replacing the bone at the distal end of the femur and the bone at the proximal end of the tibia with metal, ceramic, or plastic components?-correct ans -
Total knee arthroplasty
What is the purpose of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)?-correct ans -
To realign fractured bones and insert screws and plates to ensure the bone ends do not move
Which surgical procedure involves making an opening into the skull to access the brain?-correct ans -
Craniotomy
What is the name of the tough membrane that contains bone forming cells and blood vessels surrounding the hard outer surface of bones?-correct ans -
Periosteum
What is a joint?-correct ans -
Any place where two bones meet
What is cartilage?-correct ans -
What is the role of epithelial tissue in the human body?-correct ans -
Covers the body's external surfaces and the linings of body cavities
What is the study of the functions of body parts in the body as a whole called?-correct ans -
physiology
What are the five sense organs?-correct ans -
The eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin
What is the cerebrum?-correct ans -
The largest part of the brain that manages the nerve impulses that allow us to think, speak, and remember
What is the difference between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?-correct ans -
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS involves all nerve tissues outside the CNS
What is the role of the nervous system in the body?-correct ans -
It enables us to be aware of changes in the environment and to react accordingly
What is a muscle biopsy?-correct ans -
A test to examine muscle tissue
What is the primary mission of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)?-correct ans -
To enhance the global competitiveness of US businesses and the American quality of life
Which AAMI document became one of the most widely used documents in Central Service (CS) departments?-correct ans -
ANSI/AAMI ST 79
What are technical information reports (TIR)?-correct ans -
Reports developed by experts in the field that contain valuable information needed by the healthcare industry
What is the purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Act's general duty clause?-correct ans -
To require that a place of employment be free from recognized hazards
Which government agency is responsible for regulating workplace safety and health in the US?-correct ans -
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
What label information must all EPA-approved disinfectant and sanitizer products contain?-correct ans -
What is the purpose of the US Department of Transportation?-correct ans -
To ensure fast, safe, and efficient transportation of medical devices
Who must obtain and comply with the FDA's 510k directives to reprocess single-use devices?-correct ans -
The healthcare facility
What is the purpose of the CDC's guideline on disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities?- correct ans -
To develop standards, practices, policies, and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical devices
Who is responsible for providing adequate labeling for medical devices for reprocessing?-correct ans -
The manufacturer
What is the main purpose of the FDA's document on reusable medical devices for reprocessing?- correct ans -
To refine the process of maintaining medical device safety
What are voluntary standards?-correct ans -
Guidelines for best practices to provide better patient care that are not mandated with legal consequences for non-compliance.
What is the difference between regulations, voluntary standards, and regulatory standards?-correct ans -
Regulations and regulatory standards are mandatory, while voluntary standards are optional
What is the role of the US Food and Drug Administration?-correct ans -
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of foods, cosmetics, drugs, medical devices, and electronic products for public use
What are class 1 medical devices?-correct ans -
Low-risk devices subject to general controls, including registration and device listing, medical device reporting, and quality system regulation and labeling
According to the CDC, how many hospitalized patients contract a hospital-acquired infection?-correct ans -
1 in every 25
What is the importance of personal hygiene and attire, including personal protective equipment, in preventing healthcare-associated infections?-correct ans -
To protect healthcare workers and patients from infectious diseases
What is the role of central service in infection prevention?-correct ans -
Processing contaminated medical devices, inspecting instruments, assembling and packaging instruments, selecting sterilization methods, and safely storing and delivering items
Which term is defined as microorganisms living on or in a host organism but not invading tissue or causing damage?-correct ans -
Colonization
To prevent bacteria from entering the clean area
Why should long nails be avoided in a central service department?-correct ans -
they increase the risk of tearing gloves & harbor microorganisms
What is the proper order for donning PPE in the decontamination area?-correct ans -
Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
What is the purpose of wearing a fluid-resistant gown or jumpsuit in the decontamination area?- correct ans -
To protect clothes and skin from contamination
Why is hand-washing critical before and after any meal and before and after using the restroom?- correct ans -
To prevent the spread of highly infectious bacteria
In a central service department, what type of attire should be worn?-correct ans -
Scrubs provided by the facility
What three factors are essential for effective sterilization in a steam autoclave?-correct ans -
time, temperature, and pressure
What is the recommended method for sterilizing heat-sensitive items in a central service department?-correct ans -
Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization
What is the difference between medical asepsis and surgical asepsis?-correct ans -
Medical asepsis is for reducing the number of microorganisms, while surgical asepsis is for eliminating all microorganisms
According to the CDC, how many of every 100 surgical patients develop surgical site infections (SSIs)?- correct ans -
30
How can the presence of moisture on sterile supplies lead to the contamination?-correct ans -
Moisture allows the passage of microorganisms through wrappers, resulting in contamination
Why is it essential to maintain control of transport carts at all times and avoid excessive speeds in hallways?-correct ans -
To minimize the risk of accidents involving patients, visitors, and healthcare providers
Which organization provides recommended practices for contaminated items transport?-correct ans -
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
What should be done when using an open transport cart for soiled items?-correct ans -
Ensure the cart has a solid bottom shelf and cover it during transport
What should be done with disposable components like blades and tubing?-correct ans -
Separate them from reusable components and place them in appropriate containers
Why is it important to remove gross soil from instruments at the point-of-use?-correct ans -
to prolong the life of the instrument, prevent the formation of biofilm, and reduce the difficulty of cleaning
What is a biofilm?-correct ans -
A collection of microorganisms forming a colony with a protective gel
What is the purpose of point-of-use preparation?-correct ans -
To begin the cleaning process
What should be done with disposable components during point-of-use preparation?-correct ans -
Place them in a hard-sided container labeled "biohazard"
What should be done with reusable sharps during point-of-use preparation?-correct ans -
Place them in a separate container
Which department generates the highest volume of contaminated items in a healthcare facility?- correct ans -
Surgery department
surgery department
What are the four main goals of soiled item preparation and transport?-correct ans -
removal of gross soil, prevention of damage, prevention of cross-contamination, keeping others safe
In a three-sink arrangement for manual cleaning, what should be the purpose of the second sink (intermediate rinse)?-correct ans -
To remove debris and detergent residues with plain or softened water
How should hinged instruments be placed in the ultrasonic cleaner?-correct ans -
open
In the context of ultrasonic cleaners, what does "cavitation" refer to?-correct ans -
The implosion of low-pressure bubbles in a cleaning solution
What is a method commonly used to check instruments for cleanliness?-correct ans -
Swabbing the item after it has been cleaned and processing the swab to determine if there is residual soil present
What is the primary purpose of enzymatic cleaners in the decontamination process?-correct ans -
To break down soils, stains, and other debris on heavily soiled instruments
