CNOR 2024 ZANDER NOTES |NEW
2025 |EXAM STUDY MATERIAL
Name the 3 Spaulding Classification Systems - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ Critical
Semi-Critical
Non-Critical
Meaning of Critical Spaulding Classification System - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ Items MUST be sterile.
Items will enter -sterile tissue- or -vascular system-
Examples of items in Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Instruments-
-Laparoscopes- -Arthroscopes-
-*Cutting endoscope accessories for biopsy*-
-Cardiac Caths-
-IV caths- - Needles-
-*Urinary Caths-
Meaning of Semi-Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ Items SHOULD be sterile.
,Items will contact -broken skin- or -MM-
If the manufacturers instructions say it WON'T tolerate sterilization, they
CAN be HLD (but only IF MF SAYS).
-Spores survive HLD-
Examples of items in Semi-Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Bronchoscopes
-GI Scopes/GI endoscopes
-RT equipment (laryngoscope blades)
-Anesthesia equipment
Meaning of Non Critical Spaulding Classification System - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ -Will be in contact with INTACT SKIN
-Intermediate or Low Level Disinfection or Cleaning.
-Disinfect with an FDA approved disinfectant that's effective against
HEP B.
Examples of items in Non Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Furniture
-Laundry/Linens
-OR bed
-BP Cuff/Leads/Monitors/Stethoscopes
,-Tourniquets
Requirement for decontamination area: - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -
Must have a physical WALL or SEPARATION between decontam and
processing areas.
-This includes Immediate Use Areas.
-Why: Because decontam requires NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Sterile Processing Workflow - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔
Decontamination (always 1st) --> Prep&Pack -->Sterilization
-->Distribute/Store
Most important step to prevent infection: - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔
Cleaning and Pre-treating with a non-drying enzymatic solution in order
to avoid biofilm, which encapsulates spores.
Decontamination processes - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -
Disassemble everything
-Brush lumens/channels using a brush based on mfr instruction for
correct diameter and length of lumen
-Brush lumens/channels/crevices/joints UNDER WATER
-Automated (washers/ultrasonic) more effective than manual cleaning.
, Two Types of Steam Sterilization - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Pre-
Vac Autoclave/Dynamic Air Removal
-Gravity Displacement
PreVac settings - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276
3 min (NON porous instruments/regular instruments)
4 min (POROUS or LUMEN instruments, heavy plastic, rubber, wooden
handles, poole suction)
PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal setting for porous (heavy plastic, rubber,
wood handels) or lumen instruments (poole suction/channels) -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276 for 4 min
PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal setting for Non Porous instruments -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276 for 3 min
How does PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal autoclave work? -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Sucks air out of chamber with a
VACCUM then steam is released and snaps down onto inst/trays.
-DRAINS MUST BE CLEAN
-Most common. Most effective.
2025 |EXAM STUDY MATERIAL
Name the 3 Spaulding Classification Systems - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ Critical
Semi-Critical
Non-Critical
Meaning of Critical Spaulding Classification System - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ Items MUST be sterile.
Items will enter -sterile tissue- or -vascular system-
Examples of items in Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Instruments-
-Laparoscopes- -Arthroscopes-
-*Cutting endoscope accessories for biopsy*-
-Cardiac Caths-
-IV caths- - Needles-
-*Urinary Caths-
Meaning of Semi-Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ Items SHOULD be sterile.
,Items will contact -broken skin- or -MM-
If the manufacturers instructions say it WON'T tolerate sterilization, they
CAN be HLD (but only IF MF SAYS).
-Spores survive HLD-
Examples of items in Semi-Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Bronchoscopes
-GI Scopes/GI endoscopes
-RT equipment (laryngoscope blades)
-Anesthesia equipment
Meaning of Non Critical Spaulding Classification System - ACCURATE
ANSWERS✔✔ -Will be in contact with INTACT SKIN
-Intermediate or Low Level Disinfection or Cleaning.
-Disinfect with an FDA approved disinfectant that's effective against
HEP B.
Examples of items in Non Critical Spaulding Classification System -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Furniture
-Laundry/Linens
-OR bed
-BP Cuff/Leads/Monitors/Stethoscopes
,-Tourniquets
Requirement for decontamination area: - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -
Must have a physical WALL or SEPARATION between decontam and
processing areas.
-This includes Immediate Use Areas.
-Why: Because decontam requires NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Sterile Processing Workflow - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔
Decontamination (always 1st) --> Prep&Pack -->Sterilization
-->Distribute/Store
Most important step to prevent infection: - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔
Cleaning and Pre-treating with a non-drying enzymatic solution in order
to avoid biofilm, which encapsulates spores.
Decontamination processes - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -
Disassemble everything
-Brush lumens/channels using a brush based on mfr instruction for
correct diameter and length of lumen
-Brush lumens/channels/crevices/joints UNDER WATER
-Automated (washers/ultrasonic) more effective than manual cleaning.
, Two Types of Steam Sterilization - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Pre-
Vac Autoclave/Dynamic Air Removal
-Gravity Displacement
PreVac settings - ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276
3 min (NON porous instruments/regular instruments)
4 min (POROUS or LUMEN instruments, heavy plastic, rubber, wooden
handles, poole suction)
PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal setting for porous (heavy plastic, rubber,
wood handels) or lumen instruments (poole suction/channels) -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276 for 4 min
PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal setting for Non Porous instruments -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ 270-276 for 3 min
How does PreVac/Dynamic Air Removal autoclave work? -
ACCURATE ANSWERS✔✔ -Sucks air out of chamber with a
VACCUM then steam is released and snaps down onto inst/trays.
-DRAINS MUST BE CLEAN
-Most common. Most effective.
