Question 1

What is the term that refers to the actual or potential amount of microorganisms found on an instrument or article?

Accepted Answer

A)  Contamination
B)  Bioburden
C)  Pathogen infectivity
D)  Article corruptionE) A) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 2

When cleaning the surgical environment following a procedure, how should the nurse dispose of soiled linen?

Accepted Answer

A)  Place linen in the hamper outside the door to avoid contaminating objects in the room.
B)  Leave linen exactly where it is for the housekeeping staff to clean up.
C)  Place linen in a bag before putting it in a proper receptacle within the room.
D)  Fold linen and separate into grossly soiled and used, disposing of each into separate containers.E) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 3

An endotracheal tube is an example of which type of surgical item that would require a minimum of disinfection for cleaning?

Accepted Answer

A)  Category I-Critical
B)  Category II-Semi-critical
C)  Category III-Non-critical
D)  Endotracheal tubes are not classified using this method.E) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 4

What action should be taken to preserve shelf life for packages that are not frequently needed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Label the packages with the date and time of sterilization and place them at the front of the cabinet.
B)  Place a plastic cover over the wrapper and seal it.
C)  Keep the packages in a covered box to protect them from light.
D)  There is no method of maintenance, packages have to be routinely checked and discarded.E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 5

Which of the following types of microorganisms does disinfection not completely eliminate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Retroviruses
B)  Bacterial spores
C)  Fungus
D)  ProtozoaE) None of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 6

A nurse who is not sterile is taking a sterilized item out of a flash sterilizer for use during a procedure. Which of the following methods allows them to transfer the item to the sterile field without contaminating it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use two sterile towels to reach into the autoclave and pick up the item to transfer it.
B)  Use a pair of sterile tongs to reach into the autoclave and retrieve the item.
C)  Use a flash pan to sterilize the items and hold the pan by its handle for transport.
D)  A nurse who is not sterile should never retrieve sterile items from an autoclave for immediate use.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 7

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using ethylene oxide (EO)  as a chemical sterilization method?

Accepted Answer

A)  It can be toxic to the body.
B)  Items are more likely to become damaged during the process.
C)  It takes a long time to complete the process.
D)  Both A and CE) C) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 8

Which of the following is an appropriate response when the biologic indicator determines that bacterial spores are present on instruments that have been sterilized?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stop using the machine and call a maintenance company for service.
B)  Document the amount of bacterial spores present to determine if the machine can still be used.
C)  Notify the surgeon that the instruments he is using could be contaminated with bacterial spores.
D)  Continue using the instruments until the chief operating officer decides to shut down the sterilizer.E) None of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 9

Following high-level disinfection of an endoscope, which of the following methods is acceptable to eliminate accumulation of the disinfectant within the scope?

Accepted Answer

A)  Check the endoscope for the appearance of moisture.
B)  Rinse the endoscope with tap water.
C)  Flush the endoscope with sterile water.
D)  Use a chemical drying agent, such as acetone, to remove excess disinfectant.E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 10

What is the purpose of a biologic monitor during the sterilization process?

Accepted Answer

A)  It measures the length of the sterilization process.
B)  It measures the effectiveness of the sterilization process.
C)  It measures the type of chemical agent used during the sterilization process.
D)  Both A and C.E) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 11

Which of the following is a negative effect of using steam sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  It involves agitation of instruments, which may cause damage.
B)  It works very slowly and is not ideal when instruments are needed right away.
C)  Its use may cause corrosion of some materials.
D)  It is not intended for items that will be packaged and stored before use.E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is part of the process of cleaning or maintaining a sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Recalibrating temperature charts every six months.
B)  Cleaning the inside chamber every six months.
C)  Checking the chemical levels when a biologic indicator determines that bacterial spores are present.
D)  It is not the nurse's duty to clean or maintain the sterilizer.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

All of the following affect the sterility of a package EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  How the material has been handled.
B)  The length of time since it was sterilized.
C)  The conditions in which the package was stored.
D)  The type of material covering the package.E) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 14

Which of the following should be considered when using a washer-disinfector machine to decontaminate instruments with gross blood and debris on them?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gross blood or debris should be hand-washed first before using the washer-disinfector.
B)  The washer-disinfector will need an initial cycle of cold water to prevent blood from sticking to the instruments.
C)  The washer-disinfector does not require a hand-washing phase before use.
D)  The washer-disinfector must have water and detergent changes several times throughout the cycle in order to be fully effective.E) C) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 15

When using a case cart for sterile instruments, which of the following is part of the process of returning items for processing at the end of the surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  At the end of the procedure, items are sterilized and placed inside the cart for storage.
B)  Once contaminated items are placed in the cart, it must be closed for transport.
C)  The cart should be disinfected after contaminated items have been inside of it and before sterile items are added.
D)  Both B and CE) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 16

Which of the following items is considered to be a category I-Critical surgical item?

Accepted Answer

A)  ECG electrodes
B)  Cystoscope
C)  Internal defibrillator paddles
D)  Grounding padsE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 17

A bactericidal solution applied to skin and body tissues is called a:

Accepted Answer

A)  Disinfectant
B)  Antiseptic
C)  Sterilant
D)  AntibacterialE) C) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 18

The perioperative nurse opens a package containing a disposable forceps during a surgical procedure but determines that they are the wrong size. Which of the following is the most appropriate action in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Return the forceps to their original container if they did not leave the sterile field.
B)  Send the item to be sterilized through steam sterilization for reuse.
C)  Try to find a method of using the item during the procedure to warrant opening the package.
D)  Dispose of the item, as it cannot be reused.E) A) and C)
F) B) and C)

Question 19

Which of the following is important to remember when loading packaged items into a steam sterilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Load packages to fit as many as possible into the sterilizer, as it will take time to complete a cycle.
B)  Increased handling of packages around the time of sterilization increases the shelf life of the materials.
C)  Place basins, trays and other packs on their sides to allow the sterilizer to infiltrate each package.
D)  Packages should be loaded so that items needed most are in front, in case the sterilizer needs to be opened during the process.E) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 20

Which of the following devices may need chemical sterilization, rather than steam sterilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fiberoptic endoscope
B)  Blood pressure cuff
C)  Laparoscope
D)  Respiratory therapy devicesE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Exam 3: Disinfection

A bactericidal solution applied to skin and body tissues is called a:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

An endotracheal tube is an example of which type of surgical item that would require a minimum of disinfection for cleaning?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What action should be taken to preserve shelf life for packages that are not frequently needed?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The perioperative nurse opens a package containing a disposable forceps during a surgical procedure but determines that they are the wrong size. Which of the following is the most appropriate action in this situation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is important to remember when loading packaged items into a steam sterilizer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is part of the process of cleaning or maintaining a sterilizer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following devices may need chemical sterilization, rather than steam sterilization?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is an appropriate response when the biologic indicator determines that bacterial spores are present on instruments that have been sterilized?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the term that refers to the actual or potential amount of microorganisms found on an instrument or article?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When using a case cart for sterile instruments, which of the following is part of the process of returning items for processing at the end of the surgical procedure?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using ethylene oxide (EO) as a chemical sterilization method?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the purpose of a biologic monitor during the sterilization process?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A nurse who is not sterile is taking a sterilized item out of a flash sterilizer for use during a procedure. Which of the following methods allows them to transfer the item to the sterile field without contaminating it?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a negative effect of using steam sterilization?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Following high-level disinfection of an endoscope, which of the following methods is acceptable to eliminate accumulation of the disinfectant within the scope?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following types of microorganisms does disinfection not completely eliminate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following should be considered when using a washer-disinfector machine to decontaminate instruments with gross blood and debris on them?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All of the following affect the sterility of a package EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When cleaning the surgical environment following a procedure, how should the nurse dispose of soiled linen?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following items is considered to be a category I-Critical surgical item?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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