Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

What must be done prior to processing instruments in an ultrasonic cleaner?

1. The gross soil should be removed

2. Instruments should be soaked in a detergent

3. Instruments should be sterilized

4. Instruments should be rinsed with alcohol

The correct answer is: The gross soil should be removed

Prior to processing instruments in an ultrasonic cleaner, it is essential to remove the gross soil. This step is crucial because ultrasonic cleaners are designed to clean instruments at a microscopic level by producing high-frequency sound waves that create cavitation bubbles. If the instruments are not pre-cleaned to eliminate visible soil, blood, or debris, these larger particles can inhibit the effectiveness of the ultrasonic cleaning process. By ensuring that gross soil is removed before placing instruments in the ultrasonic cleaner, the cleaning solution can more effectively penetrate and clean the delicate and intricate surfaces of the instruments. This step increases the likelihood that pathogens and contaminants are effectively dislodged, enhancing both the safety and functionality of the instruments in subsequent sterilization processes. While other steps, such as soaking in a detergent or rinsing with alcohol, may be part of the cleaning process, they are not as critical as the removal of gross soil before using the ultrasonic cleaner.