I85PREP
⌘ K
CSPDT study materials
CSPDT study resources

CSPDT practice questions

One question at a time. Build your CSPDT understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Decontamination

Which personal protective equipment is required when manually cleaning contaminated instruments?

  1. Mask and eye protection worn with bare hands
  2. Gloves, impervious gown, mask, eye shield Correct answer.
  3. Gloves, hair cover, mask, and a reusable apron
  4. Gloves and a cloth isolation gown with shoe covers

Explanation

Decontamination requires barriers against splash and aerosol exposure: utility gloves, a fluid-resistant gown, a mask, and eye protection. Every team member in the dirty area wears the same level of protection regardless of task duration. Bare hands and cloth barriers do not resist soaking or splashes.

Question 2Decontamination

What is the purpose of applying an enzymatic gel or foam to instruments at the point of use?

  1. To lubricate the box lock and hinges before cleaning
  2. To prevent blood and debris from drying on the surfaces Correct answer.
  3. To sterilize the instrument until it reaches decontamination
  4. To mark the instrument as used so it can be tracked

Explanation

Dried blood and tissue are far harder to remove, so instruments are kept moist from the moment of use. A gel or foam holds moisture on the working surfaces during transport. These products are not sterilants, lubricants, or tracking aids.

Question 3Decontamination

Why should manual cleaning solutions be kept below 45°C (113°F)?

  1. Hot water evaporates too quickly from the sink basin
  2. Hot water coagulates blood protein and makes it harder to remove Correct answer.
  3. Hot water causes surface rust to form during the soak
  4. Hot water dulls the stainless steel finish of the instruments

Explanation

Blood proteins coagulate at higher temperatures and bond tightly to metal, which makes removal much more difficult. Cool or tepid water keeps protein soluble so detergent can lift it. Stainless steel is not dulled by warm water, and evaporation or surface rust is not the reason for the limit.

Question 4Decontamination

How should hinged instruments be positioned before mechanical cleaning?

  1. Closed, with the ratchet engaged at the first click
  2. Closed and fully ratcheted to protect the tips
  3. Wrapped in mesh to cushion the instrument during the cycle
  4. Open, so detergent reaches the box lock and hinges Correct answer.

Explanation

Detergent and water must contact every surface, including the box lock and the hinge area where soil collects. Instruments therefore go into the washer in the open position. Ratcheting them closed traps soil and shields it from the spray.

Question 5Decontamination

Which action describes how an ultrasonic cleaner removes soil from instruments?

  1. High-pressure jets of detergent strike the items
  2. Enzymes in the bath chemically dissolve the soil
  3. Rotating brushes physically scrub each instrument
  4. Imploding bubbles scrub the item's surfaces Correct answer.

Explanation

Ultrasonic cleaning uses cavitation: microscopic bubbles form in the bath and implode against surfaces, lifting soil from crevices. Mechanical scrubbing and impingement jets describe other equipment. Detergent chemistry assists but is not the cleaning mechanism of the ultrasonic unit.

Question 6Decontamination

How should instruments be loaded into an ultrasonic cleaner?

  1. Suspended above the bath so debris can drain away
  2. Fully submerged in an open basket without overlapping Correct answer.
  3. Stacked to maximize the number of items per cycle
  4. Placed in a closed tray so the lid holds them still

Explanation

Cavitation energy is blocked by overlapping surfaces and by tray lids, so items are placed in an open basket, fully submerged and not touching. Stacking creates shadowed areas that receive no cleaning action. Any part of the item above the bath surface will not be cleaned.

Question 7Decontamination

Why must a fresh ultrasonic bath be degassed before use?

  1. To bring the bath up to its correct operating temperature
  2. To check the tank seams for leaks before use
  3. To remove trapped air that reduces cavitation energy Correct answer.
  4. To rinse out detergent left from the previous cycle

Explanation

Freshly mixed solution holds dissolved and trapped air that absorbs cavitation energy and weakens cleaning. Running the bath without a load drives that air out. Degassing does not heat the tank, rinse it, or test it for leaks.

Question 8Decontamination

A rigid instrument has a narrow lumen. Which step is required during cleaning?

  1. Soak the lumen in saline to soften the debris
  2. Brush and flush the lumen, then attach a flush port Correct answer.
  3. Clean the outside only and label it as complex
  4. Seal the lumen so detergent cannot enter it

Explanation

Lumens harbor soil that surface cleaning cannot reach, so they are brushed, flushed, and connected to a flushing port in the washer. Saline is never used because it corrodes stainless steel. Leaving a lumen unprocessed allows bioburden to survive into sterilization.

Question 9Decontamination

A washer-disinfector relies on thermal disinfection during the final rinse. Which parameter is monitored to confirm that disinfection was achieved?

  1. Detergent concentration during the wash phase
  2. Compressed air pressure at the dryer inlet
  3. Time the load holds at or above the rinse setpoint Correct answer.
  4. Volume of rinse water delivered to each tray

Explanation

Thermal disinfection is a function of both temperature and the time held at that temperature, expressed through the A0 concept. The machine records the time-at-temperature exposure for each cycle. Rinse volume, detergent dose, and dryer air pressure affect other cycle phases but do not define thermal disinfection.

Question 10Decontamination

Which loading practice allows a washer-disinfector to clean effectively?

  1. Nesting instruments tightly to shield them from the spray
  2. Closing hinged instruments so the hinge is protected
  3. Stacking trays so the tallest items sit at the bottom
  4. Loading so spray arms turn freely and water hits all surfaces Correct answer.

Explanation

Washer racks are designed so that spray arms rotate unobstructed and water reaches every surface, including the inside of basins and trays. Overloading or nesting creates shadowed zones. Hinged items stay open and trays are not stacked in ways that block the spray.

Question 11Decontamination

What does an ATP bioluminescence test on a reprocessed instrument detect?

  1. Organic soil containing cellular material Correct answer.
  2. Mineral scale deposited by hard water
  3. Live bacteria surviving the disinfection step
  4. Residual alkaline detergent on the surface

Explanation

ATP is present in all living and once-living cells, so a positive result signals residual organic soil rather than a specific organism. It is a cleaning verification tool, not a sterility or disinfection test. Detergent residue and mineral scale are detected by other methods such as pH or conductivity testing.

Question 12Decontamination

After manual cleaning, how should an instrument be checked for residual soil before it leaves decontamination?

  1. Wipe it with dry gauze and examine the gauze
  2. Spray it with disinfectant and watch for a color change
  3. Hold it under running water and watch for bubbles
  4. Inspect hinges and lumens with magnification Correct answer.

Explanation

Visual inspection under adequate light with magnification is the basic check, with special attention to hinges, serrations, box locks, and lumens. If the instrument cannot be seen clearly, the cleaning cannot be verified. Gauze wiping and disinfectant sprays are not recognized verification methods.

Question 13Decontamination

What airflow relationship should the decontamination area maintain relative to adjacent areas?

  1. Alternating pressure that reverses each shift
  2. Neutral pressure, with interconnecting doors propped open
  3. Positive pressure, so air flows out to the hallway
  4. Negative pressure, so air flows in from the hallway Correct answer.

Explanation

Decontamination is the dirtiest area of the department, so it is kept under negative pressure to draw air inward and prevent aerosols from escaping to clean areas. Air exhausts through filtered systems rather than into adjacent rooms. Positive or neutral pressure would allow contaminants to migrate toward clean assembly.

Question 14Decontamination

Which traffic pattern is required between the decontamination and clean assembly areas?

  1. Two-way flow, provided the doors between areas stay shut
  2. No restriction, as long as a solid partition separates the areas
  3. Free movement in both directions whenever gloves are changed
  4. One-way flow from decontamination to the clean area Correct answer.

Explanation

Department design follows a one-way workflow from dirty to clean to sterile storage, so clean items never cross back into the dirty zone. Personnel move in the same direction and do not return without changing attire. A partition alone does not substitute for controlled flow.

Question 15Decontamination

How should soiled instruments be transported from the operating room to decontamination?

  1. Loose on a cart lined with a disposable plastic drape
  2. In a closed, leak-resistant container with a biohazard label Correct answer.
  3. In a basin of saline so the blood does not dry
  4. In an open perforated tray so moisture can escape

Explanation

Transport containers must be closed and leak-resistant to contain blood and debris, and they must carry a biohazard label to warn handlers. Saline causes corrosion and is never used as a holding solution. Open trays and loose carts allow spills and exposure during transport.

Question 16Decontamination

Why should instruments never be soaked in saline before cleaning?

  1. Saline degrades the plastic components of the tray
  2. Chloride in saline promotes pitting and corrosion Correct answer.
  3. Saline thickens blood so it clings to the steel
  4. Saline permanently stains instrument handles

Explanation

Sodium chloride attacks the passive oxide layer on stainless steel and causes pitting and corrosion, especially in joints and scratches. Saline also dries into salt crystals that are abrasive. Water or an enzymatic holding product is used instead.

Question 17Decontamination

What is the function of an enzymatic detergent in decontamination?

  1. It coats instruments with an anticorrosion film
  2. It neutralizes the pH of the final rinse water
  3. It sterilizes items by destroying all microbial life
  4. It breaks down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates Correct answer.

Explanation

Enzymatic detergents use proteases, lipases, and amylases to digest organic soil into smaller, water-soluble fragments. They are cleaning agents, not sterilants, and they do not leave a protective coating. Rinse water pH is managed separately from the detergent's cleaning action.

Question 18Decontamination

Which set of factors determines how effective a cleaning process will be?

  1. Water hardness, rinse volume, and drain time
  2. Detergent color, odor, and pH indicator strips
  3. Action, time, temperature, and chemical concentration Correct answer.
  4. Sterilizer temperature, pressure, and exposure time

Explanation

Cleaning effectiveness is described by the interaction of mechanical action, contact time, temperature, and chemical concentration, often called the Sinner circle. Weakening any one factor requires strengthening another. The other answer choices describe sterilization parameters or incidental water and product characteristics.

Question 19Decontamination

A cleaning verification test is positive on an instrument. What is the appropriate next step?

  1. Proceed to assembly and add a second sterilization cycle
  2. Reclean and retest the instrument before assembly Correct answer.
  3. Document the result and continue if it looks clean
  4. Discard the instrument as a false positive

Explanation

A positive test means soil remains, so the item must be recleaned and retested until it passes before it enters the clean area. Extra sterilization cannot compensate for residual bioburden buried in soil. Results are documented and investigated, not disregarded.

Question 20Decontamination

Where should the safety data sheet for a decontamination detergent be kept?

  1. Filed with purchase orders in the business office
  2. In the work area, readily accessible to all staff Correct answer.
  3. In the locked office of the department supervisor
  4. On the manufacturer's website, available by request

Explanation

Safety data sheets must be immediately available to every employee who works with the chemical, without delay or request. Locking them away or keeping them only online defeats that requirement. A paper or electronic copy in the work area satisfies accessibility.

Question 21Decontamination

What should a technician do first after a sharps injury in decontamination?

  1. Squeeze the wound to express blood, then cover it
  2. Wash the wound with soap and water and report it Correct answer.
  3. Apply a tight bandage and finish the current load
  4. Soak the hand in disinfectant for ten minutes

Explanation

Immediate washing with soap and water reduces exposure, after which the injury is reported right away so post-exposure evaluation can begin. Squeezing, caustic soaking, and delaying care are not appropriate first actions. Reporting is part of the same immediate response.

Question 22Decontamination

Why should lumened instruments be brushed while kept under the water surface?

  1. Bristles wear out more slowly when kept wet
  2. Submersion prevents splashing and aerosol formation Correct answer.
  3. Water dilutes the detergent to the correct strength
  4. Water lubricates the brush so it passes more easily

Explanation

Brushing under water contains droplets and aerosols that could carry microorganisms into the air and onto the technician. The water bath suppresses splashing at the point where the brush exits the lumen. Lubrication, dilution, and brush life are not the reasons for the practice.

Question 23Decontamination

A flexible endoscope arrives in decontamination. Which step precedes immersion in cleaning solution?

  1. Wiping the control head with a disinfectant wipe
  2. Connecting the scope to the automated reprocessor
  3. Removing and discarding all channel valves
  4. Leak testing the scope's outer sheath Correct answer.

Explanation

A leak test is performed before the scope is immersed so that fluid cannot enter and damage internal components through a breach. Immersing a leaking scope causes costly damage and can aerosolize contaminants. Manual cleaning follows a successful leak test.

Question 24Decontamination

Why must an instrument be thoroughly cleaned before sterilization?

  1. Soil can shield microorganisms from the sterilant Correct answer.
  2. Detergent residue helps steam penetrate lumens
  3. Sterilizers cannot reach temperature with soil present
  4. Cleaning matters only when blood is visible

Explanation

Bioburden embedded in blood, fat, or salt shields microorganisms and prevents the sterilant from contacting all surfaces. Cleaning must precede any disinfection or sterilization process. Residual detergent is itself a barrier to steam and must be rinsed away.

Question 25Decontamination

How should a powered surgical instrument that cannot be immersed be decontaminated?

  1. Soak it in enzymatic detergent for ten minutes
  2. Immerse it briefly in the ultrasonic cleaning bath
  3. Wipe the surfaces per the manufacturer's instructions Correct answer.
  4. Run it through the washer-disinfector on a delicate cycle

Explanation

Items that cannot tolerate immersion are cleaned by a manufacturer-validated method, typically careful surface wiping with a compatible detergent and controlled moisture. Immersing or soaking them risks fluid intrusion and electrical or mechanical failure. The instructions for use govern which method is permitted.

Question 26Decontamination

Which type of gloves should be worn when manually cleaning contaminated surgical instruments?

  1. Thin examination gloves
  2. Sterile surgical gloves
  3. Utility gloves Correct answer.
  4. Cotton work gloves

Explanation

Manual cleaning of contaminated instruments requires heavy-duty, puncture-resistant utility gloves because of exposure to sharps, blood, and cleaning chemicals. Sterile surgical gloves are intended for sterile procedures, and thin or cloth gloves do not provide adequate barrier or puncture protection.

Question 27Decontamination

After completing tasks in decontamination, which PPE item should be removed first?

  1. Face shield
  2. Gown
  3. Mask
  4. Gloves Correct answer.

Explanation

Gloves are removed first because they are the most contaminated PPE item and contaminate other PPE during doffing. Hand hygiene is performed after all PPE is removed.

Question 28Decontamination

Why should soiled instruments be kept moist before cleaning?

  1. To make them easier to sterilize
  2. To speed up the sterilization cycle
  3. To keep soil from drying Correct answer.
  4. To reduce the need for PPE

Explanation

Blood, tissue, and other soil dry and harden when instruments are left untreated, making removal much more difficult. Keeping instruments moist until cleaning preserves the soil's solubility and supports effective cleaning.

Question 29Decontamination

Which container is appropriate for transporting contaminated instruments from the operating room to decontamination?

  1. A leak-proof bin Correct answer.
  2. A disposable cardboard tray
  3. An uncovered wire basket
  4. A reusable cloth tote bag

Explanation

Contaminated instruments must be transported in a closed, leak-proof container that prevents spills and exposure during transport. The container should also be labeled according to facility policy.

Question 30Decontamination

Before cleaning a multi-part instrument, what should the technician do first?

  1. Lubricate all hinges
  2. Place it in a closed position
  3. Disassemble it first Correct answer.
  4. Run it through sterilization

Explanation

Multi-part instruments must be disassembled according to the manufacturer's instructions so that all surfaces, joints, and lumens are exposed to cleaning. Lubrication and sterilization occur later in the reprocessing sequence.

Question 31Decontamination

Which water quality is generally required for the final rinse in a washer-disinfector?

  1. Untreated municipal tap water
  2. Water mixed with detergent
  3. Purified water Correct answer.
  4. Salt-softened water only

Explanation

The final rinse should use water of the quality specified by the washer-disinfector and instrument manufacturers, often purified water, to avoid mineral deposits and recontamination. Tap water and softened water may leave residues that interfere with subsequent sterilization.

Question 32Decontamination

How should a manual cleaning detergent be prepared for use?

  1. Mix it with hot water without measuring
  2. Use the concentrate straight from the bottle
  3. Dilute per manufacturer instructions Correct answer.
  4. Add extra detergent beyond the label dose

Explanation

Detergent concentration, water temperature, and contact time must follow the manufacturer's instructions to achieve effective cleaning without leaving residue. Using too much or too little detergent can reduce cleaning performance or damage instruments.

Question 33Decontamination

What is the proper handling of cleaning brushes after they have been used on contaminated instruments?

  1. Clean, disinfect, and dry them Correct answer.
  2. Share them among all cleaning sinks
  3. Store them wet in cleaning solution
  4. Use them until the bristles fall out

Explanation

Reusable cleaning brushes must be cleaned, disinfected, and dried after use, and they should be replaced when worn or damaged. Brushes that are stored wet or used past their useful life can become a source of contamination.

Question 34Decontamination

A device that contacts intact mucous membranes is classified in which Spaulding category?

  1. Semicritical Correct answer.
  2. Noncritical
  3. Nonmedical
  4. Critical

Explanation

Spaulding classification is based on the risk of infection associated with device use. Semicritical devices contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin and require at least high-level disinfection.

Question 35Decontamination

Instruments contaminated with suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions require which approach?

  1. A validated prion-specific protocol Correct answer.
  2. Rinsing with tap water and air drying
  3. Soaking in saline followed by autoclaving
  4. Routine enzymatic cleaning and standard steam sterilization

Explanation

Prions are highly resistant to routine cleaning and sterilization, so facilities must follow a validated prion-specific protocol. This often includes using disposable instruments when possible and restricting reprocessing to specially trained staff.

Question 36Decontamination

Where should a used scalpel blade be discarded after removal from a contaminated instrument?

  1. In regular trash
  2. In a rigid sharps container Correct answer.
  3. In a biohazard bag
  4. On the counter for later disposal

Explanation

Used blades are sharps and must be placed directly into a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container at the point of use. This prevents handler injuries and complies with bloodborne pathogen requirements.

Question 37Decontamination

A detergent splash gets into a technician's eye. What is the immediate response?

  1. Continue working and report at the end of the shift
  2. Flush the eye and seek medical care Correct answer.
  3. Rub the eye vigorously
  4. Apply lubricating eye drops

Explanation

Chemical exposure to the eye requires immediate flushing at an eyewash station, usually for at least 15 minutes, followed by medical evaluation. Delaying irrigation can worsen injury.

Question 38Decontamination

How often should work surfaces in the decontamination area be cleaned and disinfected?

  1. Once each week regardless of use
  2. Twice per shift and when soiled Correct answer.
  3. Once each month on a set schedule
  4. Only when visibly contaminated

Explanation

Decontamination work surfaces require routine cleaning and disinfection at least at the beginning and end of each shift, and whenever visible contamination occurs. Facility policy may require more frequent cleaning based on workload and risk assessment.

Question 39Decontamination

Why should instruments be dried after cleaning before assembly?

  1. Moisture promotes growth and corrosion Correct answer.
  2. To make them easier to count during assembly
  3. To activate the sterilization process
  4. To cool them before inspection

Explanation

Residual moisture can support microbial growth and promote corrosion or staining of instruments. Drying after cleaning also helps ensure that the instrument is suitable for inspection and packaging.

Question 40Decontamination

A loaner instrument tray arrives without manufacturer cleaning instructions. What should the sterile processing technician do?

  1. Sterilize it without cleaning
  2. Hold it until instructions are obtained Correct answer.
  3. Clean it using a generic manual protocol
  4. Return it unprocessed to the vendor

Explanation

Manufacturer instructions are required to select compatible cleaning methods, detergents, and parameters for a specific instrument. Processing a loaner tray without validated instructions risks damage to the device and inadequate decontamination.

Question 41Preparation and Packaging

What is the primary function of a sterilization packaging system?

  1. Allow sterilant entry and keep contents sterile Correct answer.
  2. Make trays easier to store on shelves
  3. Organize instruments by surgical service
  4. Protect instruments from scratching during transport

Explanation

Packaging must be permeable enough to let the sterilizing agent reach every surface and, once the cycle ends, must act as a barrier against microorganisms, dust, and moisture. Organizing and protecting instruments are secondary benefits, not the defining function of the package.

Question 42Preparation and Packaging

Which package is generally most appropriate for a single small, lightweight item such as a hemostat?

  1. A paper-plastic peel pouch Correct answer.
  2. A rigid container with a filter
  3. A woven textile wrapper
  4. A nested metal basin

Explanation

Peel pouches are designed for single small items and allow the user to present the item aseptically by peeling the two sides apart. Woven wraps and rigid containers are intended for larger sets, and nesting items without a separator blocks sterilant contact.

Question 43Preparation and Packaging

Before a hinged instrument is placed in a tray, its box lock should be:

  1. opened so the hinge is exposed Correct answer.
  2. removed from the instrument
  3. closed to hold the instrument together
  4. closed and ratcheted

Explanation

Hinged instruments are processed with the box lock in the open position so that steam or other sterilant can reach the hinge and jaw surfaces. Leaving the ratchet closed traps air and moisture and prevents contact at the box lock.

Question 44Preparation and Packaging

A tamper-evident seal on a sterile package is used to:

  1. record the processing date
  2. verify the correct cycle was selected
  3. confirm sterilant reached the contents
  4. show it was not opened after processing Correct answer.

Explanation

Tamper-evident closure demonstrates that the package has not been opened or resealed since it was processed. Sterilant exposure is documented by chemical indicators, and cycle information is captured on the label and in the load record.

Question 45Preparation and Packaging

Which item belongs inside every package that holds more than one instrument?

  1. An internal chemical indicator Correct answer.
  2. A desiccant packet
  3. A second copy of the count sheet
  4. A packet of instrument lubricant

Explanation

An internal chemical indicator is placed inside each package so staff can confirm that the sterilizing agent penetrated to the contents. It does not prove sterility, but it detects conditions that failed to reach the inside of the package.

Question 46Preparation and Packaging

Where should the instrument count sheet for a set be placed?

  1. Taped to the underside of the container lid
  2. Inside the tray, on top of the instruments Correct answer.
  3. Attached to the outside of the wrapper
  4. Inserted between the two layers of wrap

Explanation

The count sheet travels inside the set so the surgical team can verify the contents at the point of use, while a duplicate copy stays in the department record. Placing it between wrap layers or on the outside risks loss and can interfere with the package barrier.

Question 47Preparation and Packaging

Water-soluble instrument lubricant is used during assembly because it:

  1. replaces the need for mechanical cleaning
  2. lubricates hinges without blocking sterilant Correct answer.
  3. coats the instrument so it stays sterile longer
  4. disinfects the instrument during assembly

Explanation

Lubricants approved for sterilization protect box locks and hinges while remaining water soluble, so they do not trap moisture or block sterilant contact. Products such as mineral oil must never be used because they are not soluble and can interfere with sterilization.

Question 48Preparation and Packaging

Where should the label be applied on a paper-plastic peel pouch?

  1. On the plastic side away from the seal Correct answer.
  2. Across the heat seal
  3. Over the point where the pouch is opened
  4. On the paper side covering the seal

Explanation

A label must never cover a seal or the peel-open area, because adhesive and label stock can weaken the seal and interfere with aseptic presentation. Placing it on the film away from the closure keeps the seal intact and readable.

Question 49Preparation and Packaging

According to widely accepted practice, the total weight of a loaded instrument tray should not exceed:

  1. Ten pounds
  2. Forty pounds
  3. Twenty-five pounds Correct answer.
  4. Fifty pounds

Explanation

A commonly applied limit is 25 pounds for the fully loaded tray, because heavier sets are difficult to handle safely and may not dry or sterilize reliably. The limit protects staff from injury and supports consistent sterilant penetration and drying.

Question 50Preparation and Packaging

How should paper-plastic peel pouches be arranged in the sterilizer?

  1. On edge in a rack, with like sides facing the same way Correct answer.
  2. Folded in half inside a wire basket
  3. Lying flat, stacked on the shelf
  4. With the plastic film pressed against the shelf

Explanation

Pouches are stood on edge so air can escape and the sterilant can contact both the paper and film surfaces, and consistent orientation supports uniform drying. Stacking or folding traps air and moisture and can produce wet packs.