HSPA CRCST
The Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. 150 questions, 125 of them scored, in three hours.
A length of pouch is cut from a roll for a long instrument. What must be done before sterilization?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is A.
Peel pouches come precut with three sides already sealed, or as roll stock, a paper-plastic tube cut to the length needed. Because roll stock is open at both cut ends, the technician seals one end, inserts the item with about an inch of clearance, and seals the other. Both seals are inspected before the pouch is sterilized.
Takeaway. Pouches cut from roll stock are open at both ends and need two seals.
During a recall, which record shows what was in the load and where each item went?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is D.
In a recall, knowing the contents of the load tells staff where to go to reclaim the packages. The load record, kept for every cycle in a sterilization log book or in tracking software, lists each item with its quantity, description and department, along with the load number, parameters and test results. That is why it must be complete: an incomplete record is essentially the same as no record at all.
Takeaway. The load record lists each item and its destination, which is how recalled packages are located.
Microsurgical eye instruments reach decontamination in the same basin as heavy orthopedic retractors. How are the eye instruments handled?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is C.
Microsurgical instruments have fine tips, delicate jaws and precise alignment that are easily bent or blunted. They are kept apart from heavier instruments at the point of use and in decontamination, handled one at a time with their tips protected by guards or silicone mats, and cleaned in dedicated trays or racks with soft brushes and methods the manufacturer allows, including ultrasonic cleaning only where permitted. Before packaging they are inspected under magnification for alignment, burrs and damage and placed in trays that hold them securely.
Takeaway. Microsurgical instruments are processed apart from heavy ones, tips protected, and inspected under magnification.
A device from a known manufacturer seriously injures a patient but causes no death. Where must the facility send the individual report?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is A.
Medical device reporting rules divide events by outcome. A suspected device-related death is reported to both FDA and the manufacturer, while a serious injury is reported to the manufacturer, or to FDA if the manufacturer is unknown. A serious injury is one that threatens life, causes permanent impairment or damage to the body, or needs medical or surgical treatment to prevent such damage.
Takeaway. Device-related death: report to FDA and the manufacturer. Serious injury: report to the manufacturer, or to FDA if the maker is unknown.
Which instrument is this?
Right.
Not quite. The answer is A.
This is the L Hook Cautery. A monopolar electrosurgical instrument featuring an insulated cylindrical shaft with an L-shaped conductive tip.
See the L Hook Cautery cardof 5 today.
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- 884 questions to practice, easy first
- The exam: 150 questions in 3:00:00
- Your score by area, weakest first