Lesson 10 (Part 2)

Question 1

What are 2 methods of low temperature sterilization methods?

Answer 1

1. Uses ethylene oxide
   - ETO
2. Chemical Sterilization using hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

Question 2

What is ETO most commonly used for? (2)

Answer 2

1. Temperature

2. Moist sensitive medical devices

Question 3

What must ETO be used with?

Answer 3

A stabilizing gas

Question 4

What is chemical sterilization using hydrogen peroxide gas plasma used for?

Answer 4

Plastics devices and electrical devices that cannot tolerate high temperatures or humidity

Question 5

How long are chemical sterilization using hydrogen peroxide gas plasma used for?

Answer 5

The cycle is less than an hour

Question 6

What temperature is considered low temperature sterilization?

Answer 6

< 60 C

Question 7

What does ionizing radiation use?

Answer 7

Cobalt 60 gamma rays

Question 8

Why is ionizing radiation hardly used in healthcare settings?

Answer 8

Very costly

- ETO methods are better

Question 9

When are dry heat sterilizers only required for? (2)

Answer 9

1. Items damaged by moist heat

2. Items impenetrable to moist heat

Question 10

How do you maintain sterility with the items?

Answer 10

They must be contained in the same way

Question 11

How are sterility items maintained?

Answer 11

They are in rigid containers and you peel open the pouches or sterilization wraps

Question 12

What is a common practice with maintaining sterilization?

Answer 12

Double wrapping with sterilization wraps

Question 13

What does double wrapping with sterilization wraps offer?

Answer 13

Multiple layers of protection

- often creating a package within a package

Question 14

Where are chemical indicators attached to?

Answer 14

The outside of each packages

Question 15

What kind of sensitivity do chemical indicators have? (2)

Answer 15

1. Heat

2. Chemical

Question 16

What will chemical indicators do if they reach certain sterilization parameters?

Answer 16

They will change colours

Question 17

What do chemical indicators assure?

Answer 17

That the physical and chemical conditions are met for sterilization

Question 18

What are considered the more ideal indicator?

Answer 18

Biological indicators

Question 19

Why are biological indicators considered the more ideal indicator?

Answer 19

Because they directly indicate if resistant microorganisms such as bacillus spores are present

Question 20

What do we know if the biological indicator is not activated?

Answer 20

We know that any potential pathogens have been killed in the process

Question 21

What does it mean if lines appear on the indicator?

Answer 21

That it has been exposed

Question 22

What does it mean if there is nothing on the indicator?

Answer 22

It hasn’t been exposed

Question 23

What must sterilization process, medical and surgical devices be handled using?

Answer 23

Aseptic technique

Question 24

What does aseptic techniques involve?

Answer 24

Specific practices with the goal of minimizing contamination by pathogens

Question 25

What does aseptic techniques involve?

Answer 25

Strictest rules

- uses what it knowns about infection prevention to minimize the risks of microorganisms

Question 26

What is aseptic techniques used for? (3)

Answer 26

1. Making fewer mistakes
2. Reducing the risk of contamination
3. Reducing the risk of spreading the disease

Question 27

How do we know the package stays sterile? (3)

Answer 27

1. Put dates on their sterilized packages
2. This way the first in policy is used
   - the oldest package is used before one sterilized today
3. Recognizing the package should remain sterile until an event contaminates them
   - such as being torn or wet a package

Question 28

When should you not use a sterile package? (6)

Answer 28

1. If it is wet
2. If it is torn
3. If it is visibly dirty
4. If you leave the room and come back
5. Not stored properly
6. Dropped on the floor

Question 29

What can happen if a sterile package is wet? (even with clean water) (2)

Answer 29

1. It can seep through

2. Can attach other bacteria

Question 30

What are 3 factors that can affect the maintaining of sterility?

Answer 30

1. How it is stored
2. How it is handled
3. If it is properly cleaned

Question 31

What should happen to all sterile packages before use?

Answer 31

Inspected to see if the barriers/integrity/dryness has been compromised