CSPDT Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide | Sterile Processing
Certification Review
What is 300 series stainless steel? - correct answer ✔✔Austenitic, used for basins, bowls,
malleable structures
What is 400 series stainless steel? - correct answer ✔✔Martensitic, can be magnetic, scissors,
forceps, osteotomes, chisels and blades
Characteristics of titanium? - correct answer ✔✔Lightweight, stronger than steel, blue
Parts of a hand held instrument? - correct answer ✔✔Jaws (contact patient), box lock (weakest
part, hardest to clean), shanks (shaft of tool), finger rings, ratchet (interlocking teeth)
Characteristics of surgical grade? - correct answer ✔✔Highest quality, reusable, US & Germany
best quality
Characteristics of floor grade? - correct answer ✔✔Not for OR sets, lower grade
What is the passivation layer? - correct answer ✔✔Nitric acid that removes iron and creates
chromium oxide to prevent corrosion
What finish is preferred in the OR? - correct answer ✔✔Satin finish
What color coating for laser instruments? - correct answer ✔✔Black
What kind of lubricant is compatible with Steam Sterilization? - correct answer ✔✔Water
soluble
,How can passivation layer be broken down? - correct answer ✔✔Improper handling, improper
cleaning agents, textile residues, hard water and steam
How long does it take for blood to stain a tool? - correct answer ✔✔20 minites
What is electrolysis? - correct answer ✔✔When unlike metals are exposed to a solution
together, can create staining
What factors contribute to pitting? - correct answer ✔✔Blood, chloride, bromide
When should instruments be inspected? - correct answer ✔✔With every use
How does one test a ratchet? - correct answer ✔✔Close on first ratchet, hold by the tip, and
gently tap on table--should not open
What are curved scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cut/dissect tissue
What are straight scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cut sutures or tissue when a straight cut is
needed
What are Mayo scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cutting/dissecting heavier tissue
What are Metz scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Dissecting tissue
What are Potts Smith scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Fine dissection during
neurosurgery/vascular surgery
, What are Lister scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Remove bandages
Characteristics of Tungsten Carbide? - correct answer ✔✔Needle holders, hold the needle
better, replaceable (only if soldered), gold handles
What are Mayo-Hegar holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Large needles/sutures
What are Crile-Wood holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Smaller needles/sutures
What are Webster holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Plastic surgery
What do retractors do? - correct answer ✔✔Hold incision open/organs and tissue out of the
way
What are three types of retractors? - correct answer ✔✔Hand held, self retaining, table top
What are rongeurs for? - correct answer ✔✔Cutting or biting bone
What are rasps for? - correct answer ✔✔Smooth, cut, and clean bone
What are dermatomes for? - correct answer ✔✔To obtain/create skin grafts in plastic surgery
What do dermatomes require? - correct answer ✔✔Blades that are usually single use and
should not arrive already on the device
What is Meshgraft? - correct answer ✔✔A tissue expansion system that is used w/ a
dermatome to prepare grafts
Certification Review
What is 300 series stainless steel? - correct answer ✔✔Austenitic, used for basins, bowls,
malleable structures
What is 400 series stainless steel? - correct answer ✔✔Martensitic, can be magnetic, scissors,
forceps, osteotomes, chisels and blades
Characteristics of titanium? - correct answer ✔✔Lightweight, stronger than steel, blue
Parts of a hand held instrument? - correct answer ✔✔Jaws (contact patient), box lock (weakest
part, hardest to clean), shanks (shaft of tool), finger rings, ratchet (interlocking teeth)
Characteristics of surgical grade? - correct answer ✔✔Highest quality, reusable, US & Germany
best quality
Characteristics of floor grade? - correct answer ✔✔Not for OR sets, lower grade
What is the passivation layer? - correct answer ✔✔Nitric acid that removes iron and creates
chromium oxide to prevent corrosion
What finish is preferred in the OR? - correct answer ✔✔Satin finish
What color coating for laser instruments? - correct answer ✔✔Black
What kind of lubricant is compatible with Steam Sterilization? - correct answer ✔✔Water
soluble
,How can passivation layer be broken down? - correct answer ✔✔Improper handling, improper
cleaning agents, textile residues, hard water and steam
How long does it take for blood to stain a tool? - correct answer ✔✔20 minites
What is electrolysis? - correct answer ✔✔When unlike metals are exposed to a solution
together, can create staining
What factors contribute to pitting? - correct answer ✔✔Blood, chloride, bromide
When should instruments be inspected? - correct answer ✔✔With every use
How does one test a ratchet? - correct answer ✔✔Close on first ratchet, hold by the tip, and
gently tap on table--should not open
What are curved scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cut/dissect tissue
What are straight scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cut sutures or tissue when a straight cut is
needed
What are Mayo scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Cutting/dissecting heavier tissue
What are Metz scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Dissecting tissue
What are Potts Smith scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Fine dissection during
neurosurgery/vascular surgery
, What are Lister scissors for? - correct answer ✔✔Remove bandages
Characteristics of Tungsten Carbide? - correct answer ✔✔Needle holders, hold the needle
better, replaceable (only if soldered), gold handles
What are Mayo-Hegar holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Large needles/sutures
What are Crile-Wood holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Smaller needles/sutures
What are Webster holders for? - correct answer ✔✔Plastic surgery
What do retractors do? - correct answer ✔✔Hold incision open/organs and tissue out of the
way
What are three types of retractors? - correct answer ✔✔Hand held, self retaining, table top
What are rongeurs for? - correct answer ✔✔Cutting or biting bone
What are rasps for? - correct answer ✔✔Smooth, cut, and clean bone
What are dermatomes for? - correct answer ✔✔To obtain/create skin grafts in plastic surgery
What do dermatomes require? - correct answer ✔✔Blades that are usually single use and
should not arrive already on the device
What is Meshgraft? - correct answer ✔✔A tissue expansion system that is used w/ a
dermatome to prepare grafts
