CBSPD FINAL EXAM LATEST 2025 REAL EXAM 100+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS|A+ GRADE (BRAND NEW!!)
1. Before decontamination, what is the first and most critical step a Sterile Processing
Technician should take when handling soiled instruments?
a) Place instruments directly into the ultrasonic cleaner.
b) Rinse instruments under hot water.
c) Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
d) Sort instruments by type.
o Answer: c) Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
o Explanation: Safety is paramount. Wearing appropriate PPE (e.g., fluid-resistant
gown, gloves, face shield) is the first line of defense against exposure to
bloodborne pathogens and other contaminants.
2. Which type of microorganism is the most difficult to destroy by sterilization processes?
a) Vegetative bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Bacterial spores
d) Viruses
o Answer: c) Bacterial spores
o Explanation: Bacterial spores are highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and
radiation, making them the most challenging microorganisms to eliminate.
Sterilization processes are validated to kill spores.
3. What is the primary function of an enzymatic cleaner in the decontamination process?
a) To physically scrub instruments.
b) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue.
c) To sterilize instruments.
d) To lubricate instruments.
o Answer: b) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue.
o Explanation: Enzymatic cleaners contain enzymes (protease, lipase, amylase)
that digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, effectively loosening and breaking
down organic soil on instruments.
4. A surgical instrument set has a missing instrument according to the count sheet. What is
the immediate action the Sterile Processing Technician should take?
a) Complete the set with a similar instrument from another tray.
b) Mark the count sheet as complete and move on.
c) Notify the operating room (OR) or supervisor immediately.
d) Proceed with sterilization as usual.
, o Answer: c) Notify the operating room (OR) or supervisor immediately.
o Explanation: Missing instruments must be reported immediately as they could be
retained in the patient or pose a safety risk. This ensures proper investigation and
documentation.
5. What is the maximum weight recommended by AAMI for a wrapped surgical instrument
set?
a) 12 pounds (5.4 kg)
b) 16 pounds (7.3 kg)
c) 25 pounds (11.3 kg)
d) 30 pounds (13.6 kg)
o Answer: c) 25 pounds (11.3 kg)
o Explanation: AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical
Instrumentation) recommends that the maximum weight of wrapped instrument
sets should not exceed 25 pounds to ensure proper sterilant penetration and
drying.
6. Which of the following is considered a high-level disinfectant?
a) Quaternary ammonium compounds
b) Alcohol (70%)
c) Glutaraldehyde
d) Phenolics
o Answer: c) Glutaraldehyde
o Explanation: Glutaraldehyde is a common high-level disinfectant used for
reprocessing heat-sensitive items, particularly flexible endoscopes, capable of
killing all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores.
7. A biological indicator (BI) test for a steam sterilizer comes back positive. What is the
immediate action the Sterile Processing Technician should take?
a) Release the load if all chemical indicators passed.
b) Rerun the BI test with a new vial.
c) Remove the sterilizer from service, quarantine all loads, and notify the supervisor.
d) Double-check the expiration date of the BI.
o Answer: c) Remove the sterilizer from service, quarantine all loads, and
notify the supervisor.
o Explanation: A positive BI indicates sterilization failure. The sterilizer must be
immediately removed from service, and all items processed in that sterilizer since
the last negative BI must be considered unsterile and recalled.
, 8. What is the recommended temperature range for the decontamination area?
a) 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C)
b) 68°F to 73°F (20°C to 23°C)
c) 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C)
d) 80°F to 85°F (27°C to 29°C)
o Answer: a) 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C)
o Explanation: AAMI and other standards recommend a temperature range of 60°F
to 65°F (15°C to 18°C) for the decontamination area to inhibit microbial growth
and ensure staff comfort while wearing PPE.
9. Which federal agency is responsible for regulating medical devices, including
sterilization equipment and processing chemicals?
a) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
b) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
c) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
d) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
o Answer: d) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
o Explanation: The FDA regulates the manufacturing and marketing of medical
devices, including sterilizers, biological indicators, and chemical indicators, to
ensure their safety and effectiveness.
10. When should a Bowie-Dick test be performed on a prevacuum steam sterilizer?
a) At the end of each shift.
b) Weekly, at the same time each day.
c) Daily, before the first processed load.
d) Only when a new sterilizer is installed.
o Answer: c) Daily, before the first processed load.
o Explanation: The Bowie-Dick test (or DART - Daily Air Removal Test) is
specifically for prevacuum steam sterilizers and must be performed daily, prior to
the first processed load, to detect air leaks or inadequate air removal.
11. What term describes the process that eliminates all microorganisms, including bacterial
spores, on inanimate objects?
a) Disinfection
b) Antisepsis
c) Sanitization
d) Sterilization
o Answer: d) Sterilization
ANSWERS|A+ GRADE (BRAND NEW!!)
1. Before decontamination, what is the first and most critical step a Sterile Processing
Technician should take when handling soiled instruments?
a) Place instruments directly into the ultrasonic cleaner.
b) Rinse instruments under hot water.
c) Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
d) Sort instruments by type.
o Answer: c) Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
o Explanation: Safety is paramount. Wearing appropriate PPE (e.g., fluid-resistant
gown, gloves, face shield) is the first line of defense against exposure to
bloodborne pathogens and other contaminants.
2. Which type of microorganism is the most difficult to destroy by sterilization processes?
a) Vegetative bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Bacterial spores
d) Viruses
o Answer: c) Bacterial spores
o Explanation: Bacterial spores are highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and
radiation, making them the most challenging microorganisms to eliminate.
Sterilization processes are validated to kill spores.
3. What is the primary function of an enzymatic cleaner in the decontamination process?
a) To physically scrub instruments.
b) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue.
c) To sterilize instruments.
d) To lubricate instruments.
o Answer: b) To break down organic matter like blood and tissue.
o Explanation: Enzymatic cleaners contain enzymes (protease, lipase, amylase)
that digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, effectively loosening and breaking
down organic soil on instruments.
4. A surgical instrument set has a missing instrument according to the count sheet. What is
the immediate action the Sterile Processing Technician should take?
a) Complete the set with a similar instrument from another tray.
b) Mark the count sheet as complete and move on.
c) Notify the operating room (OR) or supervisor immediately.
d) Proceed with sterilization as usual.
, o Answer: c) Notify the operating room (OR) or supervisor immediately.
o Explanation: Missing instruments must be reported immediately as they could be
retained in the patient or pose a safety risk. This ensures proper investigation and
documentation.
5. What is the maximum weight recommended by AAMI for a wrapped surgical instrument
set?
a) 12 pounds (5.4 kg)
b) 16 pounds (7.3 kg)
c) 25 pounds (11.3 kg)
d) 30 pounds (13.6 kg)
o Answer: c) 25 pounds (11.3 kg)
o Explanation: AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical
Instrumentation) recommends that the maximum weight of wrapped instrument
sets should not exceed 25 pounds to ensure proper sterilant penetration and
drying.
6. Which of the following is considered a high-level disinfectant?
a) Quaternary ammonium compounds
b) Alcohol (70%)
c) Glutaraldehyde
d) Phenolics
o Answer: c) Glutaraldehyde
o Explanation: Glutaraldehyde is a common high-level disinfectant used for
reprocessing heat-sensitive items, particularly flexible endoscopes, capable of
killing all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores.
7. A biological indicator (BI) test for a steam sterilizer comes back positive. What is the
immediate action the Sterile Processing Technician should take?
a) Release the load if all chemical indicators passed.
b) Rerun the BI test with a new vial.
c) Remove the sterilizer from service, quarantine all loads, and notify the supervisor.
d) Double-check the expiration date of the BI.
o Answer: c) Remove the sterilizer from service, quarantine all loads, and
notify the supervisor.
o Explanation: A positive BI indicates sterilization failure. The sterilizer must be
immediately removed from service, and all items processed in that sterilizer since
the last negative BI must be considered unsterile and recalled.
, 8. What is the recommended temperature range for the decontamination area?
a) 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C)
b) 68°F to 73°F (20°C to 23°C)
c) 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C)
d) 80°F to 85°F (27°C to 29°C)
o Answer: a) 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C)
o Explanation: AAMI and other standards recommend a temperature range of 60°F
to 65°F (15°C to 18°C) for the decontamination area to inhibit microbial growth
and ensure staff comfort while wearing PPE.
9. Which federal agency is responsible for regulating medical devices, including
sterilization equipment and processing chemicals?
a) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
b) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
c) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
d) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
o Answer: d) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
o Explanation: The FDA regulates the manufacturing and marketing of medical
devices, including sterilizers, biological indicators, and chemical indicators, to
ensure their safety and effectiveness.
10. When should a Bowie-Dick test be performed on a prevacuum steam sterilizer?
a) At the end of each shift.
b) Weekly, at the same time each day.
c) Daily, before the first processed load.
d) Only when a new sterilizer is installed.
o Answer: c) Daily, before the first processed load.
o Explanation: The Bowie-Dick test (or DART - Daily Air Removal Test) is
specifically for prevacuum steam sterilizers and must be performed daily, prior to
the first processed load, to detect air leaks or inadequate air removal.
11. What term describes the process that eliminates all microorganisms, including bacterial
spores, on inanimate objects?
a) Disinfection
b) Antisepsis
c) Sanitization
d) Sterilization
o Answer: d) Sterilization
