SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY: DECONTAMINATION,
STERILIZATION, AND DISINFECTION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
an authoritative source of standards for sterilization and disinfection; provides
recommended practices and technical information for U.S. medical professions;
standards are developed with the support of the FDA
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
the professional association for perioperative registered nurses; publishes standards
and guidelines of practice for all areas of perioperative care
antisepsis
a process that greatly reduces the number of microorganisms on skin or other tissue.
bacteriocidal
able to kill bacteria
bacteriostatic
a chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria
biofilms
dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces; resistant to chemical
disinfectants and scrubbing; a matrix of extracellular polymers produced by
microorganisms; these substances bind the microorganisms tightly to a living or
nonliving surface, making them highly resistant to antimicrobial action
biological indicator
quality control mechanism used in the process of sterilization; consists of a closed
system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that can be rapidly cultured after
the sterilization process
case cart system
, a method of receiving clean and sterile equipment and preparing it for transportation to
a central decontamination area; all equipment is contained within a covered movable
storage cart
cavitation
a process in which air bubbles are imploded (burst inward), releasing particles of soil or
tissue debris
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
agency of the federal government that provides research and protocols in all areas of
public health
Central Processing (CP) department
area of the hospital where medical devices and equipment are processed; also called
Central Surgical Supply or the Surgical Processing department
Central Processing technicians
skilled professionals who specialize in processing and maintenance of medical devices
used in the health care facility
chemical indicator
a method of testing a sterilization parameter; chemical strips sensitive to physical
conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being sterilized and change
color when the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical monitor
chemical sterilization
a process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization
-cidal
a suffix indicating death
cleaning
a process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using detergent and washing
cobalt-60 radiation
a method of institutional bulk sterilization used by manufacturers to sterilize
prepackaged equipment using ionizing radiation
items intended for single use
contaminated
STERILIZATION, AND DISINFECTION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
an authoritative source of standards for sterilization and disinfection; provides
recommended practices and technical information for U.S. medical professions;
standards are developed with the support of the FDA
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
the professional association for perioperative registered nurses; publishes standards
and guidelines of practice for all areas of perioperative care
antisepsis
a process that greatly reduces the number of microorganisms on skin or other tissue.
bacteriocidal
able to kill bacteria
bacteriostatic
a chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria
biofilms
dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces; resistant to chemical
disinfectants and scrubbing; a matrix of extracellular polymers produced by
microorganisms; these substances bind the microorganisms tightly to a living or
nonliving surface, making them highly resistant to antimicrobial action
biological indicator
quality control mechanism used in the process of sterilization; consists of a closed
system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that can be rapidly cultured after
the sterilization process
case cart system
, a method of receiving clean and sterile equipment and preparing it for transportation to
a central decontamination area; all equipment is contained within a covered movable
storage cart
cavitation
a process in which air bubbles are imploded (burst inward), releasing particles of soil or
tissue debris
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
agency of the federal government that provides research and protocols in all areas of
public health
Central Processing (CP) department
area of the hospital where medical devices and equipment are processed; also called
Central Surgical Supply or the Surgical Processing department
Central Processing technicians
skilled professionals who specialize in processing and maintenance of medical devices
used in the health care facility
chemical indicator
a method of testing a sterilization parameter; chemical strips sensitive to physical
conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being sterilized and change
color when the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical monitor
chemical sterilization
a process that uses chemical agents to achieve sterilization
-cidal
a suffix indicating death
cleaning
a process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using detergent and washing
cobalt-60 radiation
a method of institutional bulk sterilization used by manufacturers to sterilize
prepackaged equipment using ionizing radiation
items intended for single use
contaminated
