Chapter 8 Terminology

Question 1

Cleaning

Answer 1

The removal of all visible and non-visible soil, and any other foreign material from medical devices being processed.

Question 2

Decontamination Area

Answer 2

The location within a healthcare facility designated for the collection, retention and cleaning of soiled and/or contaminated items.

Question 3

Relative Humidity

Answer 3

Amount of water vapor in the atmosphere; expressed as a percentage of the total amount of vapor the atmosphere could hold without condensation.

Question 4

Biohazards Waste

Answer 4

Waste containing infectious agents that present a risk or potential risk to human health, either directly through infections or indirectly through the environment.

Question 5

Deionized (DI) Water

Answer 5

Water that has had all minerals removed through an ion exchange process.

Question 6

Distilled Water

Answer 6

Water that is heated to steam, then allowed to cool and condense. Distillation removes impurities, like gases and organic material; it also removes some bacteria.

Question 7

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Answer 7

A water purification process by which a solvent, such as water, is removed of impurities after being forced through a semipermeable membrane.

Question 8

Pyrogen

Answer 8

A substance, typically produced by a bacterium, that produces fever when introduced/released into the blood.

Question 9

Cavitation

Answer 9

The process used by an ultrasonic cleaner in which low-pressure bubbles in a cleaning solution burst inward and dislodge soil from instruments.

Question 10

Impingement

Answer 10

The spray-force action of pressurized water against instruments being processed to physically remove bioburden.

Question 11

Emulsifier

Answer 11

Any ingredient used to bind together substances that normally do not combine, such as oil and water.

Question 12

Surfactant

Answer 12

A substance that lowers the surface tension of the water and increases the solubility of organic compounds.

Question 13

Chelating Agents

Answer 13

Chemicals that hold hard water minerals in solution and prevent soaps or detergents from reacting with the minerals.

Question 14

Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS)

Answer 14

Acute postoperative inflammatory reaction which a noninfectious substance enters the anterior segment and induces toxic damage to the intraocular tissues.