Biomedical Sciences and Technology Exam Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the biomedical sciences and technology exam review.

Antiseptic

A chemical agent used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on skin and mucous membranes.

Disinfection

The process of destroying microorganisms on inanimate (nonliving) objects.

Terminal sterilization

The procedure for destroying pathogens at the end of a procedure to protect healthcare workers.

Saturated steam under pressure

Considered the safest, most practical means for sterilizing heat- and moisture-stable items.

Bowie-Dick test

A test run daily in the prevacuum sterilizer to assure complete removal of air.

Gravity displacement sterilizer

A sterilizer that requires a drying cycle due to absence of a vacuum.

Aeration

Essential following sterilization using ethylene oxide gas to remove carcinogenic residues.

Flash sterilization

A quick method used for sterilizing instruments that need to be used immediately.

Biological monitor

The most reliable means of monitoring sterilizer effectiveness using live bacteria.

Critical items

Items that contact sterile tissue and must be sterilized to prevent infection.

Concurrent disinfection

The immediate cleaning up of blood spills during surgery.

Gross soil removal

Washing hands prior to surgical scrub to eliminate visible dirt and transient microbes.

Cidex solution

A chemical used for high-level disinfection of instruments, requiring rinsing with sterile water.

Bioburden

The degree of microbial contamination on an object.

Sterrad

A sterilization method that takes one hour for processing instruments.

Sterilization parameters

Conditions that must be met to ensure successful sterilization, including temperature and pressure.

Lumen flushing

The process of rinsing instruments with lumens to remove toxic residues after disinfection.

Decontamination area

The designated space for properly managing instruments post-surgery to ensure safety.

Toxic chemical residues

Harmful substances left on medical instruments that must be removed before use.

Stock rotation

Placing older sterile packs behind newer ones for proper storage and shelf life management.

Open-mesh bottom tray

An unacceptable method for transporting contaminated instruments.

T/F: The safety strap should always be placed in the same spot on the OR bed.

False

All of the following statements are true, EXCEPT

Shoe covers must be worn outside the surgical department to avoid getting microbes on your shoes from other departments

Studies have shown that scrub suits made of 100% cotton fabric should not be worn for the following reasons EXCEPT:

Cotton fabrics do not breath and cause sweating

The furniture that will be set up and included in the sterile field should be positioned a minimum of 12 inches away from the wall and other non-sterile furniture and equipment.

true

It is recommended that a new mask be used in all examples below EXCEPT

if you cough you do not need a new mask

Surgery personnel should remove facial and oral jewelry before entering the OR. Wearing eyebrow, lip, nose, and tongue piercings 

present the potential of dislodging and falling onto a sterile field, and possibly enter the surgical wound.

The CST should verify that all furniture, such as IV stands, sitting stools, anesthesia provider’s cart, and equipment, such as the electrosurgical unit and suction system, are in the OR. The following statements are also true, EXCEPT

A separate suction system is not necessary for the anesthesia provider if there is a canister available in the OR suction.

The surgical head cover, or hood, should be lint-free and cover all head and facial hair. Head covers are used to prevent the shedding of _________ onto the scrub suit.

hair, squamous cells, dandruff

The scrub suit should be donned in the healthcare facility designated changing room. The most important reason for changing from street clothes to a scrub suit...

aids in decreasing contamination of the environment

All is true about wearing bracelets, rings, watches, and similar hand and forearm jewelry EXCEPT

 it allows surgical team members who must perform the surgical scrub to contact the entire surface of the skin with the antimicrobial scrubbing agent.

The gown product selection process should include evaluation of the performance qualities listed below as recommended by AAMI and ANSI/AAMI.

microbial, fluid resistant, resistant to tears and punctures, comfort, lint free

T/F: If there is any break in the integrity of the skin, the surgical team member should avoid scrubbing the area of the injury.

false

Before opening sterile instrument sets, packages, and peel packs, the following should be verified:

that the integrity of the packaging is intact, the sterilization indicator shows proper results, and the expiration date has not passed, the items should be places on clean dry surfaces. The date may be present.

T/F: If the packaging material is compromised, the package must not be opened onto the sterile field.

True

T/F: If a patient is transported into the OR but the surgical procedure is cancelled prior to incision, the sterile field and sterile items should not be wasted, and could be used for a second patient.

False

T/F: If a CST, upon opening a sterile package, commercial or sterilized in-house, identifies a foreign particle (FP) contained within, the FP should be removed but the package is still considered sterile because the FP went through the sterilization process.

false 

T/F Sharps should be grouped in one corner of the back table, and other items should not be opened near the sharps to avoid covering/hiding them.

true