Chapter 2- Instruments Pt 1- Parts and Cleaning

Powerpoint based questions for chapter 2

Why must surgical instruments be used properly?

Improper use can cause damage to the instruments

What metals are included in stainless steel instruments?

composed of iron, chromium, and carbon

What is martensitic stainless steel?

Has higher carbon content, used for cutting instruments as it is harder and
holds an edge

What is austenitic stainless steel?

Has a higher chromium and lower carbon content- Used for needle holders and hemostats

• Tungsten carbide inserts are typically used in needle holders to increase durability

What are the parts of a surgical instrument?

tips, jaws, box lock, shank, ring handle, ratchet

What are the jaws of the instrument?

working end of the instrument- much variety (straight/curved, traumatic/atraumatic, serrations/teeth/flat)

What is the boxlock of the instrument

Where the 2 parts of the instrument are joined, only seen in ring handle instruments

Why should the boxlock of instruments always be inspected?

It absorbs a great amount of stress during use and may crack or otherwise become damaged

What is the shank?

Longest portion of the instrument, length between the ring handles and the boxlock

What is the ratchet?

set of interlocking teeth that will lock an instrument’s jaw in a closed position, only found on instruments that have ring handles

What is the ring handle?

Where the user holds the instrument

What is the first step in cleaning surgical instruments?

rinse of instruments in cool water

What does rinsing instruments do that is beneficial?

it prevents blood, tissue, saline, or other foreign matter from drying onto the instruments

What type of water should be used to clean surgical instruments?

distilled or deionized

What is the second step in cleaning surgical instruments?

use of an instrument brush to manually clean the instruments

What should you not do while scrubbing instruments?

mix instruments of different metal types

After brush cleaning, what can be used to microscopically clean instruments?

Enzymatic cleaning solutions

How long should instruments soak in an enzymatic cleaner?

5 minutes

After use of an enzymatic cleaner, what should instruments be rinsed with?

Distilled water

What is the third step in cleaning surgical instruments?

ultrasonic cleaning

What are the benefits of ultrasonic cleaning?

able to easily and deeply clean instruments, including in difficult areas like the box lock

How do ultrasonic cleaners work?

By using high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles (cavitation) and they implode, dislodging dirt and foreign materials

How should instruments be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner?

wide open, without being piled on top of one another

How long should instruments be in an ultrasonic cleaner?

5-6 minutes

After use of an ultrasonic cleaner, what should instruments be rinsed with?

Distilled water

What is the fourth step in cleaning surgical instruments?

lubrication

What forms are instrument lubricants in?

Spray or soak

How does instrument lube benefit the instrument?

lubricates moving joints and provides a protective coating

What is the fifth step in cleaning surgical instruments?

inspecting for cracks, alignment, ratchets for holding