Free Practice Test - PrepSterile

Sterilization Process Medium

Which type of biological indicator is used for steam sterilization?

A. Bacillus atrophaeus

B. Geobacillus stearothermophilus

C. Bacillus subtilis

D. Clostridium difficile

Sterilization Process Medium

What does the Bowie-Dick test evaluate?

A. Chemical indicator effectiveness

B. Air removal in pre-vacuum steam sterilizers

C. Biological indicator viability

D. Package integrity

Documentation & Record Keeping Medium

How long should sterilization records be retained?

A. 1 year

B. 3 years

C. 5 years

D. 10 years

Storage & Inventory Easy

What is the FIFO method in inventory management?

A. First In, First Out - use oldest stock first

B. First In, Final Out - use newest stock first

C. Fast In, Fast Out - quick turnover

D. Fixed Inventory For Operations

Sterilization Process Hard

What is the minimum temperature and time for steam sterilization using gravity displacement?

A. 250°F (121°C) for 15 minutes

B. 270°F (132°C) for 10 minutes

C. 270°F (132°C) for 15 minutes

D. 250°F (121°C) for 30 minutes

Cleaning & Decontamination Medium

What is the minimum temperature for thermal disinfection in a washer-disinfector?

A. 140°F (60°C)

B. 160°F (71°C)

C. 180°F (82°C)

D. 200°F (93°C)

Customer Relations & Communication Easy

What is the most professional way to handle a complaint about instrument quality?

A. Defend your work immediately

B. Listen actively, document the issue, and follow up

C. Ignore the complaint

D. Blame the manufacturing company

Preparation & Packaging Easy

What is the proper technique for loading instrument sets into sterilization containers?

A. Pack as tightly as possible to maximize space

B. Place heavy instruments on top

C. Arrange instruments to allow steam penetration with hinged instruments open

D. Close all hinged instruments to save space

Storage & Inventory Hard

What is the event-related sterility concept?

A. Items expire after a set date

B. Sterility is maintained until an event causes contamination

C. Items must be used within 30 days

D. Sterility depends on the storage location only

Preparation & Packaging Medium

How should lumened instruments be prepared for sterilization?

A. Seal all openings

B. Flush with sterile water and keep moist

C. Flush with sterile water, dry thoroughly, and ensure lumens are patent

D. No special preparation needed

Documentation & Record Keeping Easy

What information must be included on every sterilization load record?

A. Load number only

B. Operator initials only

C. Load number, date, time, operator initials, and sterilizer number

D. Date and time only

Preparation & Packaging Medium

What type of water should be used in steam sterilizers?

A. Tap water

B. Distilled water

C. Softened water

D. Deionized or reverse osmosis water

Preparation & Packaging Medium

What is the maximum weight for a wrapped instrument set?

A. 10 pounds

B. 16 pounds

C. 25 pounds

D. 30 pounds

Sterilization Process Medium

What is the purpose of a chemical indicator?

A. To prove sterilization has occurred

B. To indicate exposure to sterilization conditions

C. To replace biological indicators

D. To measure temperature only

Storage & Inventory Medium

What is the recommended temperature range for sterile storage areas?

A. 60-65°F

B. 68-73°F

C. 75-80°F

D. 80-85°F

Customer Relations & Communication Easy

What is the best response when a surgical technician requests an instrument set that is not ready?

A. Tell them to wait and provide no explanation

B. Blame another department

C. Provide an estimated time and offer alternatives

D. Ignore the request

Cleaning & Decontamination Easy

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in the decontamination area?

A. Gloves only

B. Gloves and mask

C. Full PPE including fluid-resistant gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection

D. Surgical scrubs only

Patient Equipment Hard

What is the minimum contact time for high-level disinfection with glutaraldehyde at 20°C?

A. 5 minutes

B. 10 minutes

C. 20 minutes

D. 45 minutes

Cleaning & Decontamination Medium

What is the correct order of manual cleaning steps?

A. Rinse, wash, dry

B. Wash, rinse, dry

C. Pre-rinse, wash, rinse, dry

D. Dry, wash, rinse

Documentation & Record Keeping Easy

What does IFU stand for in central service?

A. Internal Facility Use

B. Instructions For Use

C. Instrument Follow-Up

D. Infection Free Unit

Patient Equipment Medium

What level of disinfection is required for respiratory therapy equipment that contacts mucous membranes?

A. Low-level disinfection

B. Intermediate-level disinfection

C. High-level disinfection

D. Sterilization

Storage & Inventory Easy

How far from the floor should sterile items be stored?

A. 4-6 inches

B. 8-10 inches

C. 12 inches

D. At any height

Sterilization Process Medium

Ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization is primarily used for?

A. Stainless steel instruments

B. Heat and moisture-sensitive items

C. Rubber items only

D. Linen packs

Patient Equipment Easy

Which Spaulding classification applies to items that contact intact skin?

A. Critical

B. Semicritical

C. Noncritical

D. High-risk

Cleaning & Decontamination Easy

What is the purpose of enzymatic cleaners?

A. To sterilize instruments

B. To break down organic material like blood and tissue

C. To lubricate instruments

D. To polish stainless steel