Sterile Processing Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, processes, safety standards, microbiology concepts, and surgical instruments from the Sterile Processing study guides.

Ethylene oxide (EO)

A low-temperature gas sterilant used for heat- and moisture-sensitive medical devices that is toxic and requires controlled handling.

Aeration

The process of removing residual ethylene oxide (EO) from items after sterilization according to sterilizer and device IFUs.

FIFO

First In, First Out; the practice of using older properly released supplies before newer ones while checking package integrity and expiration requirements.

Liquid Chemical Sterilization (LCS)

A process using a liquid chemical sterilant for compatible devices, where items generally cannot be stored sterile after processing and must be used promptly.

Spaulding Classification System

A system that classifies patient-care items as critical, semicritical, or noncritical based on the infection risk from their intended use.

Count Sheets

Lists of instruments or items in a set used to help verify set contents and identify missing or incorrect items.

Healthcare-associated Infection (HAI)

An infection a patient acquires while receiving healthcare that was not present or incubating when care began.

Ebola

A serious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated materials of an infected person.

Gram-positive Bacteria

Bacteria that appear purple or violet after Gram staining because their cell walls retain the crystal-violet stain.

Aerobic Microorganisms

Microorganisms that need oxygen to grow.

Anaerobic Microorganisms

Microorganisms that grow without oxygen, some of which are harmed by it.

PPE

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye or face protection, used to reduce exposure to hazards.

Pasteurizers

Equipment that uses controlled hot water to thermally disinfect compatible devices without sterilizing them.

Mechanical Washers

Automated equipment that cleans instruments using controlled water, detergent, spray action, and cycles.

Damaged Endoscope Fibers

Broken image fibers that appear as dark spots or a honeycomb pattern in the endoscopic image.

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) Test Strips

Strips used to check the MEC of reusable high-level disinfectants at required frequencies, commonly before each day's use.

Automatic Dosing Units

Equipment that dispenses a measured amount of detergent or chemical.

Point-of-Use Treatment

the exact time and location where a surgical instrument is used—specifically, at the patient’s bedside or in the operating room immediately after a procedure ends.

Tympanoplasty

Surgery to repair the eardrum, sometimes including repair of the small bones of the middle ear.

Arthroscopy

A procedure in which a scope is inserted into a joint to view, diagnose, or treat problems.

Tungsten Carbide Jaws

Instrument jaws with hard tungsten-carbide inserts that improve grip and wear resistance.

Robotic Instruments

Specialized instruments used with a robotic surgical system that require device-specific cleaning, inspection, testing, and sterilization.

Prefix "Hemi-"

A prefix meaning half or one side.

Suffix "-itis"

A suffix meaning inflammation.

Semi-critical Devices

refers to the Spaulding medical devices classification system devices that come in contact with non intact skin or mucous membranes

Protease Enzymes

Enzymes that break down proteins, such as blood and tissue.

Lipase Enzymes

Enzymes that break down fats and oils.

Amylase Enzymes

Enzymes that break down starches and carbohydrates.

Gross Soil

Large amounts of visible dirt, blood, or body tissue on an instrument.

Biofilm

A layer of microorganisms that sticks to a surface and is difficult to remove.

Biocidal

process or ability to kill or control the growth of living organisms

Biohazard

Something that may pose a health risk, such as infectious blood or body fluids.

Asepsis

The absence of disease-causing microorganisms.

Decontamination Purpose

To remove or reduce contamination so instruments are safer to handle.

Decontamination Battery

a dedicated, often non-functional or specially marked battery pack used during the cleaning of battery-powered surgical instruments to protect internal electrical components from fluid invasio

Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS)

Steam sterilization used when an instrument is needed promptly and cannot undergo terminal sterilization in time.

Terminal Sterilization

Sterilizing instruments in their final packaging so they can be stored until needed.

Disinfection

destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms on an inanimate surface

Sterilization

process by which all forms of microbial life including bacteria viruses spores and fungi are completely destroyed

Critical Devices

refers to the Spaulding medical device classification system instruments or objects introduced directly into the bloodstream or other normally sterile body areas

Phenolics

intermediate level to low level disinfectants containing phenol

Passivation

A process that strengthens the protective oxide layer on stainless steel to help prevent corrosion.

Stapedectomy

Surgery that removes part or all of the stapes bone in the middle ear.

Chemical Indicators (CIs)

Indicators divided into six types (Type 1–6) that show an item has been exposed to certain sterilization conditions.

Rigid Container Filter Retention Plates

Plates that hold the filter securely inside a rigid sterilization container.

Pederson Speculum

A narrow vaginal speculum used to hold the vaginal walls apart during an examination or procedure.

Scissors with Black Handles

Scissors that often feature tungsten carbide inserts to help keep the cutting edges sharp.

Cholecystectomy

Removal of the gallbladder.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Federal agency that regulates many disinfectants and environmental matters.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Federal agency that regulates medical devices, drugs, and certain sterilization products.

World Health Organization (WHO)

International body that provides global health guidance.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Federal agency that protects workers' health and safety.

MedWatch Program

An FDA program for reporting serious problems and adverse events involving medical products.

29 CFR 1910.1030

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which protects workers from exposure to bloodborne diseases.

ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170

A healthcare ventilation standard addressing airflow, air pressure, temperature, and humidity.

Standards vs. Regulations

Standards provide recommended requirements or practices, whereas regulations are legally enforceable rules.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Germs in blood that can cause disease, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Binary Fission

The process in which one bacterial cell divides into two cells.

Gliding Joint

A joint where bones slide past one another, such as in the knee

Ball-and-socket Joint

A joint that moves in many directions, such as the shoulder or hip.

Hinge Joint

A joint that mainly bends and straightens, such as the elbow or knee.

Negative Pressure

air pressure inside the room that is lower than the air pressure outside the room causeing the airflow into the room with the lower air pressure

Positive Pressure

situation in which air flows out of a room or area because the pressure in the area is greater than that of surrounding areas

Low pH

Acidic level with a pH below $7$.

Neutral pH

Level that is neither acidic nor alkaline, with a pH of $7$.

High pH

Alkaline or basic level with a pH above $7$.

double action rongeur

single action rongeur

vaginal wall retractor

probe and groove director

tenaculum

uterine sound

IUD remover

sponge forceps

manual retractor

tungsten carbide ( gold rings)

mayo scissors

metzenbaum

scalpel holder

vaginal speculum

tissue forceps

root word

The root is the foundational meaning of the word

prefix

The prefix is added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. It usually tells you where, how many, or when

suffix

The suffix is added to the end of a word. In sterile processing, suffixes are critical because they tell you exactly what surgical action is being performed.

red test material

a standardized, medium-thickness elastomer (rubber-like) sheet used to test the sharpness of surgical scissors measuring 4.5 inches or longer

fomite

any inanimate object or substance that can become contaminated with infectious organisms (like bacteria, viruses, or fungi) and transfer them from one person to another.

doffing PPE

1. Gloves (Remove first; they are the dirtiest)

2. Gown (Roll inside-out away from your body)

3. Face Shield / Goggles (Handle only by the clean headband)

4. Mask / Respirator (Remove last to protect your breathing)

5. Wash Hands (Immediately clean your hands with soap and water)

Reservoir

carrier of an infectious mircoorganism generally refers to a human carrier

Infectious Agent

having the ability to transmit disease

Susceptible Host:

person or animal that lacks the ability to resist an infection by an infectious agent

Portal of Entry

path by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir

portal of entry

past used by an infectious agent to enter a susceptible host