A hospital reprocesses a device labeled for single use. How does the FDA regard that hospital?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 20.a. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
A technician may be splashed with a corrosive chemical. What must the employer provide within the work area?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.151, Medical services and first aid, 1910.151(c). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
How long may natural fingernails be, by the CDC hand hygiene page for healthcare workers?CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers, Maintain fingernail and jewelry safety. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
What is the highest relative humidity the CDC guideline gives for the sterile storage area?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Physical Facilities. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Show all 60 questions (56 more)
Departmental considerations, continued
Where must the safety data sheets for the hazardous chemicals used in a department be kept?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication, 1910.1200(g)(8). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Which airflow does the CDC guideline cite for the decontamination area of a central processing department?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Physical Facilities. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Which of these does the CDC guideline include in a quality control program for sterilized items?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 19.d. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Which period does the CDC guideline give as an example for keeping sterilization records?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 19.f. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Why do physical barriers separate the decontamination area from the other sections of central processing?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Physical Facilities. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 1: Departmental Considerations.
Cleaning, decontamination and disinfection 13
A basin of soiled reusable sharps arrives in decontamination. What does the OSHA standard forbid?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(E). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
A blood pressure cuff touches only intact skin. Which level of processing does the CDC guideline call for?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 3.c. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
A surgical instrument enters sterile tissue. Which Spaulding category is it, and what must it be?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), A Rational Approach to Disinfection and Sterilization, Critical Items. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
A technician wants to shorten the contact time printed on the label of an EPA-registered disinfectant. What does the CDC guideline say about the label?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 4.b. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
How are hinged instruments loaded into a washer-disinfector?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
How does an ultrasonic cleaner remove soil from instruments?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
In the chain of infection, what is a fomite?CDC, Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, Lesson 1, Section 10: Chain of Infection, Modes of transmission. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
What are the two essential components of manual cleaning, by the CDC guideline?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
What color is the OSHA biohazard warning label on a container used to transport blood or other potentially infectious materials?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(C). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
Which detergent solution is commonly used for instrument cleaning, and why?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
Which enzyme in a cleaning solution is active on fats?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
Which gloves does the CDC guideline say staff in the decontamination area should wear to handle contaminated instruments?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
Why are medical devices cleaned as soon as practical after use, for example at the point of use?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 2.b.ii. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 2: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection.
Preparation and packaging 12
An instrument no longer functions as intended and cannot be properly cleaned. What does the CDC guideline say to do?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 2.f. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
How are hinged instruments placed in a tray that is to be sterilized?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
How should a device with a concave surface, such as a basin, be positioned in a set?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
What does sequential double wrapping create?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
What is the minimum inspection the CDC guideline calls for after instruments are cleaned?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Cleaning, Cleaning. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
When is an external chemical indicator not needed on a package?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 16.b. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Which information does the load label on a sterilized item carry?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 18.c. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Which material is unacceptable packaging for ethylene oxide sterilization?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Which of these must a packaging material do?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Which packaging does the CDC guideline call unacceptable for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Which problem does the CDC guideline link to heavy metal mass in an instrument set?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Packaging. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Why is a chemical indicator placed on the inside of each pack?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Monitoring. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 3: Preparation and Packaging.
Sterilization process 13
A load contains implantable items. What does the CDC guideline say about that load?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 16.g. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
For which reason should flash sterilization NOT be used?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 13.b. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
How are peel packs placed in a sterilizer load?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Loading. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
How often, at the least, does the CDC guideline say a sterilizer is monitored with a biological indicator?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 16.d. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
What are the four parameters of steam sterilization?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Steam Sterilization, Overview. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
What is the minimum exposure time for wrapped instruments at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) in a gravity displacement steam sterilizer?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Table 7. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
What is the minimum exposure time for wrapped instruments at 270 degrees F (132 degrees C) in a prevacuum steam sterilizer?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Table 7. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
When is the Bowie-Dick test run on a vacuum-type steam sterilizer?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Steam Sterilization, Overview. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Which result on a Bowie-Dick test sheet shows acceptable vacuum performance?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Steam Sterilization, Overview. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Which spores are used in the biological indicator that monitors steam sterilization?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Monitoring. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Why are items aerated after ethylene oxide sterilization?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Ethylene Oxide "Gas" Sterilization, Overview. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Why is a control biological indicator from the same lot incubated without being exposed to the sterilant?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Monitoring. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Why is no aeration needed after a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma cycle?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma, Overview. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 4: Sterilization Process.
Sterile storage, transport and inventory 5
A maker fixes a problem with a recalled device at the hospital, without taking the device away. What does the FDA call this action?FDA, What is a Medical Device Recall? Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management.
A sterile pack on a shelf under a leaking pipe has become wet. How is it regarded?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Storage. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management.
How far from the floor does the CDC guideline say sterile supplies should be stored?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Sterilizing Practices, Storage. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management.
Under event-related storage, how long may a packaged sterile item be used?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 18.d. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management.
Which part of a unique device identifier (UDI) identifies the labeler and the specific version or model of a device?FDA, UDI Basics. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management.
Patient care equipment 3
An infusion pump has a frayed power cord that might expose a worker to injury. What does the OSHA standard require?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.334, Use of equipment (electrical), 1910.334(a)(2)(ii). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 6: Patient Care Equipment and Distribution.
Noncritical equipment was used on a patient who is on contact precautions, and no dedicated disposable device was available. What is done before it goes to another patient?CDC, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), Summary of Recommendations, Recommendation 4.d. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 6: Patient Care Equipment and Distribution.
When does OSHA require a visual inspection of portable cord- and plug-connected equipment?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.334, Use of equipment (electrical), 1910.334(a)(2)(i). Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 6: Patient Care Equipment and Distribution.
Professional development and human relations 5
A count sheet lists instruments for an appendectomy. What does the ending "-ectomy" mean?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean, Procedures, Diagnosis and Surgery. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 7: Professional Development and Human Relation Skills.
A technician can see a patient name on a case cart list. What does the HIPAA minimum necessary standard ask of the hospital?HHS, HIPAA Minimum Necessary Requirement, How the Rule Works. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 7: Professional Development and Human Relation Skills.
In a medical word, what does the word part "arthr-" or "arthro-" mean?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean, Body Parts and Disorders. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 7: Professional Development and Human Relation Skills.
In the SBAR communication framework, what do the four letters stand for?AHRQ TeamSTEPPS 3.0, Tool: SBAR. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 7: Professional Development and Human Relation Skills.
The operating room phones in an urgent request, and the technician repeats it back to the caller. What is this technique called?AHRQ TeamSTEPPS 3.0, Tool: Check-Back. Outline: HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), Section 7: Professional Development and Human Relation Skills.
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the seven sections of the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Exam Content Outline of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (revised November 2023, https://myhspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HSPA_CRCST_Content_Outline_2023.Revision.pdf, linked from https://myhspa.org/certification/certification-overview/certified-registered-central-service-technician-crcst/, read 2026-10-07), in its weights of 15, 21, 21, 21, 9, 5 and 8 percent. The bank holds 9, 13, 12, 13, 5, 3, 5 questions in that order. Every fact was read on 2026-10-07 in the public page the question names: the CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), OSHA standards, FDA pages on recalls and device identifiers, HHS, AHRQ and MedlinePlus. The paid manual and the private standards the owner lists as references were not used. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
IAHCSMM is now the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), and its technician exam is the CRCST. This IAHCSMM practice test has 60 questions of our own. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by HSPA.
Read the full guide
What the exam covers
HSPA's CRCST Exam Content Outline, revised November 2023 and read October 7, 2026, has seven sections: departmental considerations 15%, cleaning, decontamination and disinfection 21%, preparation and packaging 21%, sterilization process 21%, sterile storage and inventory 9%, patient care equipment 5% and professional development 8%.
How the bank is split
The 60 questions follow those weights: 9, 13, 12, 13, 5, 3 and 5. Exam mode asks 25 in 30 minutes, the pace of 150 questions in three hours.
Where the facts come from
Each answer names the public page it was read in: the CDC disinfection and sterilization guideline, OSHA standards, the FDA and others. The paid manual and private standards were not used, so points found only there are not asked.
The CDC guideline dates from 2008. Where your course manual or a newer standard differs, follow the manual for the exam.
Questions and answers
Is IAHCSMM the same as HSPA?
Yes. The association adopted the name Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) in 2022, by its own history page, so an IAHCSMM CRCST practice test and an HSPA one are the same. CRCST stands for Certified Registered Central Service Technician.
How many questions are on the CRCST exam?
150 multiple choice questions in three hours, by HSPA's certification handbook of January 2026. 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions that cannot be told apart.
Is this a sterile processing technician certification practice test?
Yes, for the CRCST. This sterile processing certification practice test follows HSPA's outline. The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution gives a separate technician exam.
Is this an IAHCSMM final exam practice test?
It is practice for the certification exam itself. A course sets its own final exam. None of these is a real exam question: HSPA's handbook prohibits copying or disclosing its exams, and all 60 are our own.