Question 1

What is the primary function of the 'hepa filter' in a drying cabinet for endoscopes?

Accepted Answer

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters remove airborne contaminants so that only clean air is blown through the scope channels for drying.

Question 2

The event-related sterility concept means that sterility is maintained until:

Accepted Answer

Event-related sterility holds that items remain sterile indefinitely as long as the packaging integrity is maintained — no punctures, tears, moisture, or other events that could compromise the sterile barrier. Calendar dating alone is not the determinative factor.

Question 3

Which storage condition is MOST harmful to wrapped sterile items?

Accepted Answer

Moisture is the most damaging storage condition for sterile packages. Wet or damp wraps lose their barrier function, allowing microorganism migration through the wrap. 'Strike-through' contamination invalidates sterility immediately.

Question 4

Sterile items should be stored at least how far off the floor?

Accepted Answer

AAMI ST79 and most facility standards require sterile items to be stored at least 8–10 inches above the floor to prevent contamination from floor cleaning, flooding, and traffic. Items stored on the floor are considered contaminated.

Question 5

What is the maximum distance from the ceiling that sterile items should be stored?

Accepted Answer

Sterile items should be stored at least 18–24 inches from the ceiling (or below the level of sprinkler heads) to prevent wetting from fire suppression systems and to allow air circulation. AAMI ST79 specifies 18 inches below sprinklers.

Question 6

Single-use sterile items that have been opened but not used must be:

Accepted Answer

Single-use items are not designed or validated for re-sterilization. Once opened, the sterile field is broken. The items must be discarded regardless of whether they were used. Manufacturer labeling for single-use is a regulatory designation.

Question 7

A sterile package with a compromised seal should be:

Accepted Answer

Any package with an open, torn, or questionable seal must be treated as non-sterile. The item must be returned for reprocessing (re-wrapped and re-sterilized) or discarded. The integrity of the sterile barrier is absolute.

Question 8

What is the purpose of a load control number (or lot number) on a sterilized package?

Accepted Answer

A load control number links the item to a specific sterilizer cycle. If a biological indicator indicates a failed cycle, the load control number allows all items from that load to be identified and recalled before use.

Question 9

Sterile storage areas should maintain relative humidity between:

Accepted Answer

AAMI ST79 recommends sterile storage areas maintain relative humidity between 30–60%. Humidity below 30% can cause package material brittleness; above 60% promotes moisture absorption through packaging, compromising sterility.

Question 10

When should the sterility of an item be questioned even if the package appears intact?

Accepted Answer

Even with intact packaging, excessive handling can stress seals and packaging materials. Wrinkled or compressed wraps may indicate handling damage. Additionally, items stored in non-controlled environments (temperature extremes, contaminated areas) should be reprocessed.

Storage Practice Questions

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