Determination Terminology

Question 1

Antiseptic

Answer 1

An inorganic chemical compound, which combats microorganisms on living tissue inactive by preventing or arresting their growth without necessarily killing them. Resistant strains may not be affected.

Question 2

Cart Washer

Answer 2

Equipment used to clean and sanitize metal surgical case carts, supply carts, and, with special loading racks, rigid sterilization containers and surgical instruments.

Question 3

Case Cart

Answer 3

Distribution and Inventory handling system that provide supplies for specialty areas e.g. OR, labor and delivery, cardiac laboratory

Question 4

Caustic

Answer 4

Able to burn or destroy living tissue by chemical action.

Question 5

Cavitation

Answer 5

Process employed by ultrasonic cleaner that causes bubbles to implode and dislodge soil from instrument’s.

Question 6

Centigrade (Celsius)

Answer 6

Temperature scale between the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water.

Question 7

Chelating Agent

Answer 7

Chemical that prevents soap or detergent from reacting with minerals in hard water; water softener.

Question 8

Cleaning

Answer 8

Removal of all visible dirt, soil, and foreign matter to the extent necessary for further processing or intended use.

Question 9

Contamination

Answer 9

Introduction of microorganisms to a sterile field.

Question 10

Detergent – Disinfectant

Answer 10

Combined cleaning agent and disinfectant

Question 11

Disease

Answer 11

Pathological condition of the body that presents a group of clinical signs and symptoms.

Question 12

Disinfectant

Answer 12

Chemical that destroys most microorganisms, excluding spores on inanimate objects.

Question 13

Disinfection

Answer 13

Destruction of most microorganisms, excluding spores, on inanimate objects. Chemical or physical process of destroying most forms of pathogenic microorganisms except bacterial spores; used for inanimate objects.

Question 14

Disposable

Answer 14

Item manufactured to be used only once and then discarded.

Question 15

Distill

Answer 15

To vaporize by heat and collect the distillate

Question 16

Distilled Water

Answer 16

Water that has been heated to the boiling point vaporized to remove nonvolatile impurities, cooled, condensed into a liquid condensate, and collected so that no impurities are reintroduced. ANSI/AAMI ST79

Question 17

Environmental Disinfection

Answer 17

Destruction of most microorganisms, excluding spores, on inanimate objects.

Question 18

Enzyme Detergent

Answer 18

Organic substance that assists with the breakdown of blood and protein soils.

Question 19

Ergonomics

Answer 19

Physical capabilities in relation to various types of work

Question 20

Ethylene Oxide

Answer 20

Chemical agent used to sterilize heat-, pressure-, or moisture-sensitive items.

Question 21

External or Internal Indicator Strip

Answer 21

Chemically impregnated paper that changes color verifying exposure to a sterilization process

Question 22

Flash Sterilization

Answer 22

Sterilization method now known as immediate-use steam sterilization (USS). See immediate-use Steam Sterilization.

Question 23

Fomite

Answer 23

Inanimate Object that serves as a transmission agent for microorganisms.

Question 24

Ionize

Answer 24

To separate into ions, particles that carry an electric charge

Question 25

Latex

Answer 25

Common form of rubber used to produce various medical supplies

Question 26

Leak Testing

Answer 26

Method of verifying the integrity of the outer sheath of flexible endoscope

Question 27

Lipid

Answer 27

Fat or fat-like substance that is insoluble in water

Question 28

Lipolytic

Answer 28

Capable of breaking down fats.

Question 29

Sterile

Answer 29

Absence of all microorganisms including mold spores.

Question 30

Sterilization

Answer 30

The process of killing all pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.

Question 31

Types of Sterilization

Answer 31

1. Steam Sterilization
2. Ethylene Oxide (gas) Sterilization
3. Hydrogen Peroxide (Sterrad) sterilization

Question 32

Steam Sterilization

Answer 32

Steam under pressure elevated to an appropriate temperature for recommended length of time will render items sterile.

Indicator strip will change to dark color when processed.

Question 33

Ethylene Oxide (Gas) Sterilzation

Answer 33

Gas capable of penetrating most known substances rendering them sterile: Used for items that are heat-and moisture-sensitive. Indicator strip will change to green color when processed.

Question 34

Hydrogen Peroxide (Sterrad) Sterilization

Answer 34

Low Temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma that i scapable of penetrating most known substances, rendering them sterile: Used for items that are heat-and moisture-sensitive. Indicator strip will change to orange color when processed.