HSPA CRCST
The Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. 150 questions, 125 of them scored, in three hours.
In a gravity-displacement sterilizer at 270°F (132°C), what is the minimum exposure for wrapped instruments?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is B.
Gravity displacement removes air more slowly than dynamic air removal, so its exposures are longer. At 270°F (132°C), wrapped instruments need at least 15 minutes in a gravity cycle and textile packs 25 minutes, against 4 minutes for either in a prevacuum cycle; at 250°F (121°C) the gravity time is 30 minutes. These are minimum times, and the device manufacturer's instructions, which may call for an extended cycle, always govern.
Takeaway. In a gravity cycle at 270°F, wrapped instruments need at least 15 minutes of exposure.
Through which part of a paper-plastic pouch does steam reach the item inside?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is A.
The two sides of a paper-plastic pouch have separate jobs: the plastic film lets the user see the contents, and the paper allows air removal, sterilant penetration and drying. Air, steam and other sterilants do not pass through the plastic. That is why pouches stand on edge, paper facing plastic, with room between them, and why nothing should cover the paper.
Takeaway. Sterilant enters a paper-plastic pouch only through the paper; the plastic side is for visibility.
Before cleaned laparoscopic instruments are packaged, how is the insulation on their shafts checked?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is D.
The insulating coating on laparoscopic instruments can crack or develop pinholes from use, handling and processing, and a break too small to see can let electrosurgical current escape into bowel or vessels outside the camera's view. After cleaning, each insulated instrument is examined along its full length under lighted magnification and checked with an insulation integrity tester, used as the tester and instrument manufacturers direct, which signals any breach in the coating. An instrument with damaged insulation is taken out of service and tagged for repair or replacement. Active electrode monitoring in the operating room is an added safeguard, not a substitute for testing.
Takeaway. Insulated instruments are inspected under magnification and tested with an insulation tester, because pinhole breaks are invisible.
A retractor is disassembled for sterilization. Where do its small wing nuts go?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is B.
When an instrument is taken apart for sterilization, its small parts, such as wing nuts, screws and pins, go into an approved containment device. All the parts are kept close together in the tray so the surgical team can find and reassemble them quickly. Loose small parts are easily lost during processing or overlooked during use.
Takeaway. Small parts of a disassembled instrument go in an approved containment device kept close to the rest of the instrument.
Which instrument is this?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is A.
This is the Laparoscopic Clip Appliers. Used for occluding blood vessels, ducts, or other small structures during laparoscopic procedures.
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- 884 questions to practice, easy first
- The exam: 150 questions in 3:00:00
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