Sterile Processing Exam Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical terminology, regulatory agencies, decontamination concepts, and safety protocols from the HSPA and Sterile Processing study guides.

IFU

Instructions for Use; manufacturer instructions that take precedence over convenience and must always be followed when processing devices.

SDS

Safety Data Sheet; contains procedures to follow in the event of a chemical exposure.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; government organization establishing workplace exposure requirements and procedures.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration; organization associated with medical devices and safety reporting via MedWatch.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; organization that provides infection prevention guidance.

AAMI

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation; organization associated with standards and recommended practices.

HSPA

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association; organization responsible for sterile processing certification.

Instrument Processing Order

The mandatory sequence of instrument reconditioning: $\text{Cleaning} \rightarrow \text{Disinfection} \rightarrow \text{Sterilization}$.

BKA

Below-Knee Amputation; surgical removal of the lower leg below the knee.

ORIF

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation; surgical treatment of a fracture using direct alignment and fixation devices.

CR

Commonly Computed Radiography; medical abbreviation that can have different meanings depending on context.

AORN

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses; professional organization related to perioperative care.

TASS

Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome; acute, noninfectious inflammation of the eye after surgery.

Pupil

Opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Anatomy comprising the brain and spinal cord.

Subcutaneous

Anatomical location situated beneath the skin.

Hypoglycemic

State of having abnormally low blood glucose.

Herniorrhaphy

Surgical repair of a hernia.

Gastrectomy

Surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Ultrasound imaging of the heart using a probe placed in the esophagus.

Periosteal Elevator

Instrument used to separate or elevate the periosteum from bone.

Point-of-Use Treatment

Treatment performed as soon as possible after a procedure to prevent blood/tissue from drying, reduce bioburden, protect instruments, and make cleaning more effective.

Gross Soil

Large amounts of visible contamination such as blood, tissue, bone, body fluids, or debris.

Biofilm

A community of microorganisms attached to a surface and surrounded by a protective matrix.

Enzymatic Products

Cleaning products containing enzymes that help break down organic soils such as blood, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Ultrasonic Cleaners

Mechanical cleaning equipment using high-frequency sound waves to assist in removing soil from instruments.

Cavitation

Formation and collapse of microscopic bubbles during ultrasonic cleaning, which acts as the key cleaning action.

Degassing

Removal of trapped air from ultrasonic cleaning solution so ultrasonic energy can work effectively.

Impingement

Forceful action of water or cleaning solution against an instrument surface.

To-and-Fro Motion

Back-and-forth movement used during manual cleaning, such as brushing instruments or lumens.

Thermal Disinfection

Reduction of microorganisms through controlled exposure to heat at a specified temperature and time.

Lubricant

Solution used after cleaning to maintain moving instrument parts and reduce friction, which must be compatible with the instrument and process.

Saline

Normal saline composed of $0.9\%$ sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$); must not dry on instruments as salts contribute to corrosion.

Aerosolization

Creation and dispersal of tiny droplets or particles into the air, such as from pressurized spraying.

Air Pressure in Decontamination

Maintained under negative pressure relative to adjacent areas so air flows from cleaner areas toward decontamination.

Sharps

Items capable of cutting or puncturing skin, such as needles, scalpels, and sharp instruments.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Disorders affecting muscles, tendons, nerves, joints, and related structures, with risks including repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward posture, and poor ergonomics.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Gram-negative bacterium that can cause healthcare-associated infections and is associated with moist environments.

MedWatch

FDA safety reporting program for problems involving medical devices, drugs, biologics, and other FDA-regulated products.

instruments should be kept together with their sets In the user area because

it helps maintain organization, prevents loss, and ensures proper sterilization and efficiency during procedures.

if soiled items are held in users units before being picked up for processing , they must be kept

designated holding area until transported to processing.

which is NOT a reason for point of use treatment

it reduces sp workload

a goal of soiled transport is to

minimize the risk of contamination and ensure safe handling of soiled items.

before transporting soiled devices , SP techs should be aware of

the Ergonomic principles to ensure safe lifting and pulling and pushing

off site polices and procedures should define

separation of clean and dirty

which is NOT a goal of point of use treatment

transporting items within two hours of the end of a prodeure

the best way to transport contaminated instruments is in a

dedicated soiled elevator

during point of use treatment instruments should Not

be placed in a basin with saline to keep them moist

injuries or disorders of the muscle, joints , nerves and tendons are called

musculoskeletal disorders

what is the preferred pH for detergents used for most cleaning processes

neutral pH

not true about washer disinfections is not true

all tram should be washed on the same cycle

water must be degassed each time an ultrasonic cleaners tank is changed because excess bubbles

reduce the energy of the cavitation process and decrease cleaning efficiency.

written cleaning instructions for surgical instruments should be provided by the

device manufacturer

floors and walls in the decontamination area should be

constructed to tolerate cleaning chemicals

untreated water

increases the likelihood of mineral scale deposits

these are used to breakdown fatty deposits on instruments

lipase enzymens

instrument lubrications is performed

after cleaning

to prevent coagulation of proteins instruments should be pre rinsed using

cool water

detergents used in mechanical cleaners should be

low foaming

during manual cleaning instruments should be brushed using a

to and fro motion

powered surgical instruments

cannot be immersed

the decontamination area should have

negative airflow in relation to the other areas of the department

ultrasonic irrigators are used to

clean devices with lumens

rigid container filter retention plates should be

removed from the container and lid and cleaned separately