Surg Tech Ch 10 Decontamination,
Sterilization & Disinfection
-cidal - correct answer-A suffix indicating death; bactericidal means "able to kill bacteria".
Bactericidal - correct answer-Able to kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic - correct answer-Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Bioburden - correct answer-The number of contaminating microbes on an object.
Biofilm - correct answer-Dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces.
Biological indicator - correct answer-A quality control mechanism used in the process of
sterilization. It consists of a closed system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that
can be rapidly cultured after the sterilization process.
Bowie-Dick Test - correct answer-A test that identifies air leaks & ineffective air removal in
the steam sterilization process.
Case cart system - correct answer-A method of transporting surgical supplies & equipment
to & from the instrument processing & supply areas.
Cavitation - correct answer-A process during ultrasonic cleaning in which air bubbles
implode (burst inward), releasing particles of soil or tissue debris.
Chemical indicator - correct answer-A method of testing a sterilization parameter. Chemical
strips sensitive to physical conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being
sterilized & change color when the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical
monitor.
Chemical sterilization - correct answer-A process that uses chemical agents to achieve
sterilization.
Clean - correct answer-The absence of visible soil on a surface.
Cleaning - correct answer-A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using
friction, detergent, & water.
Cobalt-60 radiation - correct answer-A method of institutional bulk sterilization used by
manufacturers to sterilize prepackaged equipment by ionizing radiation.
Contaminated - correct answer-Rendered nonsterile & unacceptable for use in critical areas
of the body.
, Decontamination - correct answer-A process in which recently used & soiled medical
devices, including instruments, are made safe for personnel to handle.
Detergent - correct answer-A chemical that breaks down organic debris by emulsification
(separation into small particles) to aid in cleaning.
Disinfection - correct answer-Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means;
does not produce sterility as not all microbial forms are destroyed in the process.
Environmental cleaning - correct answer-The process of cleaning the surfaces in patient
care areas, including the operating room. This includes floors, cabinets, equipment, lights, &
furniture.
Enzymatic cleaner - correct answer-A specific chemical used in detergents & cleaners to
penetrate & break down biological debris, such as blood.
Ethylene oxide (EO) - correct answer-A highly flammable gas that is capable of sterilizing an
object; used to sterilize items that are heat & moisture sensitive.
Event-related sterility - correct answer-A wrapped sterile item may become contaminated by
environmental conditions or events, such as a puncture in the wrapper. ____ ____ _____
refers to sterility based on the absence of such events. The shelf life of a sterilized pack is
event related, not time related.
Exposure time - correct answer-Is the amount of time goods are held in specific conditions
during disinfection or the sterilization process. ____ ____ varies with the size of the load,
type of materials being sterilized, & the type of agent used. ___ ___ is sometimes called the
hold time.
Gas plasma sterilization - correct answer-A process that uses the form of matter known as
plasma during the sterilization process.
Gravity-displacement sterilization - correct answer-A type of steam sterilizer that removes air
by gravity.
High-level disinfection (HLD) - correct answer-A process that reduces bioburden to an
absolute minimum.
High-vacuum sterilizer - correct answer-A type of steam sterilizer that removes air in the
chamber by vacuum & refills it with pressurized steam. aka: Prevacuum Sterilizer
Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) - correct answer-Rapid sterilization of instruments
to be used immediately. This process was previously called flash sterilization.
Implant - correct answer-Defined by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as "a device
that is placed into a surgically or naturally formed cavity of the human body if it is intended to
remain there for a period of 30 days or more."
Sterilization & Disinfection
-cidal - correct answer-A suffix indicating death; bactericidal means "able to kill bacteria".
Bactericidal - correct answer-Able to kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic - correct answer-Chemical agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Bioburden - correct answer-The number of contaminating microbes on an object.
Biofilm - correct answer-Dense colonies of bacteria that adhere tightly to surfaces.
Biological indicator - correct answer-A quality control mechanism used in the process of
sterilization. It consists of a closed system containing harmless, spore-forming bacteria that
can be rapidly cultured after the sterilization process.
Bowie-Dick Test - correct answer-A test that identifies air leaks & ineffective air removal in
the steam sterilization process.
Case cart system - correct answer-A method of transporting surgical supplies & equipment
to & from the instrument processing & supply areas.
Cavitation - correct answer-A process during ultrasonic cleaning in which air bubbles
implode (burst inward), releasing particles of soil or tissue debris.
Chemical indicator - correct answer-A method of testing a sterilization parameter. Chemical
strips sensitive to physical conditions, such as temperature, are placed with the item being
sterilized & change color when the parameter is reached; sometimes called a chemical
monitor.
Chemical sterilization - correct answer-A process that uses chemical agents to achieve
sterilization.
Clean - correct answer-The absence of visible soil on a surface.
Cleaning - correct answer-A process that removes organic or inorganic soil or debris using
friction, detergent, & water.
Cobalt-60 radiation - correct answer-A method of institutional bulk sterilization used by
manufacturers to sterilize prepackaged equipment by ionizing radiation.
Contaminated - correct answer-Rendered nonsterile & unacceptable for use in critical areas
of the body.
, Decontamination - correct answer-A process in which recently used & soiled medical
devices, including instruments, are made safe for personnel to handle.
Detergent - correct answer-A chemical that breaks down organic debris by emulsification
(separation into small particles) to aid in cleaning.
Disinfection - correct answer-Destruction of microorganisms by heat or chemical means;
does not produce sterility as not all microbial forms are destroyed in the process.
Environmental cleaning - correct answer-The process of cleaning the surfaces in patient
care areas, including the operating room. This includes floors, cabinets, equipment, lights, &
furniture.
Enzymatic cleaner - correct answer-A specific chemical used in detergents & cleaners to
penetrate & break down biological debris, such as blood.
Ethylene oxide (EO) - correct answer-A highly flammable gas that is capable of sterilizing an
object; used to sterilize items that are heat & moisture sensitive.
Event-related sterility - correct answer-A wrapped sterile item may become contaminated by
environmental conditions or events, such as a puncture in the wrapper. ____ ____ _____
refers to sterility based on the absence of such events. The shelf life of a sterilized pack is
event related, not time related.
Exposure time - correct answer-Is the amount of time goods are held in specific conditions
during disinfection or the sterilization process. ____ ____ varies with the size of the load,
type of materials being sterilized, & the type of agent used. ___ ___ is sometimes called the
hold time.
Gas plasma sterilization - correct answer-A process that uses the form of matter known as
plasma during the sterilization process.
Gravity-displacement sterilization - correct answer-A type of steam sterilizer that removes air
by gravity.
High-level disinfection (HLD) - correct answer-A process that reduces bioburden to an
absolute minimum.
High-vacuum sterilizer - correct answer-A type of steam sterilizer that removes air in the
chamber by vacuum & refills it with pressurized steam. aka: Prevacuum Sterilizer
Immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) - correct answer-Rapid sterilization of instruments
to be used immediately. This process was previously called flash sterilization.
Implant - correct answer-Defined by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as "a device
that is placed into a surgically or naturally formed cavity of the human body if it is intended to
remain there for a period of 30 days or more."
