Question 1

Which of the following actions ensures continuous use of fresh supplies that are not outdated?

Accepted Answer

A)  Place older supplies in first, with newer supplies in front.
B)  Place supplies in a windowless cabinet that remains locked.
C)  Place new supplies in first, with older supplies in front.
D)  Store all supplies for operating rooms together to ensure that supplies are continuously being used. C

Question 2

What is a disadvantage of using the pasteurization process for high-level disinfection?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increased amounts of toxic residues after pasteurization
B)  Required rinsing following the process
C)  Ineffective sporicidal activity of the process
D)  The process is time consuming and not cost effective. C

Question 3

How should endoscopes be stored to prevent contamination and to promote drying?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lay them individually in a storage compartment.
B)  Stack the endoscopes on top of each other.
C)  Hang the endoscope in a vertical position.
D)  Stand the endoscope up on end. C

Question 4

All of the following objects may undergo flash sterilization EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  An essential instrument that became contaminated during a procedure
B)  Only porous items
C)  A complete tray set that has been contaminated with gross blood
D)  A small, unwrapped instrument set

Question 5

What is the term for removing blood or body fluids from instruments or devices while still in the operating room?

Accepted Answer

A)  Neutralizing
B)  Sterilizing
C)  Purification
D)  Decontamination

Question 6

When sending items on a case cart for sterilization, which of the following is true about unused, sterile items left on the cart?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unused, sterile items should sent back to processing with contaminated items.
B)  Unused, sterile items can be used for another surgical process right away.
C)  Unused, sterile items should be opened and integrated with the contaminated items.
D)  Unused, sterile items should remain on the case cart, with a second cart needed for contaminated items.

Question 7

Following steam sterilization, the nurse opens the door to remove the packages. In order to maintain the integrity of the packages, which of the following actions is important for the nurse to follow?

Accepted Answer

A)  Move the sterilized items immediately into storage for protection until use.
B)  Allow the packages to dry for about an hour before storing.
C)  Place warm packages on metal shelving, as this will help to cool the items more quickly.
D)  Both A and C

Question 8

What method is most appropriate for cleaning a room in the time between surgical procedures?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only housekeeping personnel should clean the procedure room, to ensure cleaning is done correctly.
B)  Only perioperative nurses should clean the procedure room, to ensure cleaning is done correctly.
C)  Using a wet vacuum on floors should be considered instead of manual floor cleaning.
D)  Both B and C

Question 9

If the nurse is transporting used instruments to another area for decontamination, which of the following is the most important practice to maintain asepsis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Covering the tray of used instruments before transport.
B)  Leaving used instruments in the surgical suite for at least one hour before transporting them.
C)  Always transporting items on a cart instead of carrying them.
D)  Ensuring used items are in a locked box before moving them.

Question 10

What is the purpose of damp-dusting equipment within a room before a surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Damp-dusting sweeps away dust particles that have collected on the surface of items within the room.
B)  Damp-dusting is used for rooms that have sat empty for a long time.
C)  Damp-dusting is done to sterilize surfaces before setting up the sterile field.
D)  Damp-dusting is performed to remove microorganisms from the air that have settled on items.

Question 11

The probability of a microorganism remaining on an item after sterilization is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  Disinfection reliability
B)  Sterilization guarantee
C)  Neutralization reliability reading
D)  Sterility assurance level

Question 12

What precautions should the nurse implement when working with instruments that were used on a patient who was HIV positive?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use ethylene oxide as a chemical method of sterilization.
B)  Use a washer-disinfector before steam sterilization.
C)  Always use flash sterilization for any high-risk materials.
D)  Use the same precautions as for any instruments used for any other patient.

Question 13

Which of the following actions must be considered when disinfecting a patient area following a surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  The nurse needs to begin before the patient is transferred in order to have enough time to disinfect.
B)  The nurse should wear gloves when using a disinfectant.
C)  The nurse should clean the area before disinfecting.
D)  Both B and C

Question 14

At the completion of a surgical procedure, which type of disinfectant should the nurse use to wipe down tables and equipment?

Accepted Answer

A)  High-level disinfectant
B)  Low-level disinfectant
C)  Intermediate disinfectant
D)  Only sterile water and ammonia

Question 15

When using steam sterilization, which of the following is necessary to properly remove microorganisms through the steam autoclave process?

Accepted Answer

A)  Steam, high temperature, and ethylene oxide gas
B)  Steam, high temperature, and pressure
C)  Steam, low temperature, and hydrogen peroxide
D)  Steam only

Question 16

What is the purpose of aeration for items undergoing gas sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  To air-dry the materials and make sure they do not contain moisture before use.
B)  To allow for the release of toxic substances from the surface of the instruments.
C)  To replace the gas at the end of the cycle with humidified air, saturating the instruments before drying.
D)  To instill a protective covering over the instruments, rendering them safe to use in the next procedure.

Question 17

Which of the following describes the action of a gravity air displacement sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pressurized steam pushes air out of the sterilizing chamber, and high-pressure steam sterilizes the instruments.
B)  Air is removed from the sterilizing chamber through a vacuum, and steam replaces the air to sterilize the instruments.
C)  Pressurized gas is pushed into the chamber to circulate with high levels of humidity, which sterilizes the instruments.
D)  Instruments are immersed in fluid, followed by humidified air that circulates at extremely high temperatures.

Question 18

Which of the following must be considered when reprocessing an object that was designed for single-use only?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reprocessing single-use items can only be performed on critical items.
B)  When reprocessing an item, evidence of sterility must be achieved or the item should be discarded.
C)  Items that are reprocessed after single use should be clearly marked as second-use only.
D)  Disinfection is inadequate for reprocessing; it always requires sterilization.

Question 19

Which of the following are important considerations when packaging instrument trays for sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  Put instrument sets together in closed, covered trays.
B)  Instrument sets should be strung in a closed loop for sterilization, since it keeps all items together.
C)  Nesting instruments or basin sets keeps them too close together and prevents adequate sterilization of all surfaces.
D)  All trays should have a worksheet that outlines the number of instruments being sterilized.

Question 20

Which of the following measures is important to remember to avoid toxicity when sterilizing instruments using ethylene oxide?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only items that are small enough to fit on an 8 x 8 tray are safe to sterilize in this method.
B)  Aeration is necessary only when materials come in direct patient contact.
C)  Materials must be clean and dry before sterilizing with ethylene alcohol.
D)  Both B and C

Exam 3: Disinfection