CRCST Safety Flashcards: 60 Practice Questions & Answers

Hand hygiene is the primary defense against HAIs. Technicians must perform hand hygiene: 1. Before entering the work area. 2. Before donning and after removing gloves. 3. After any contact with contaminated items. 4. Before leaving the work area. Exam Tip: HSPA emphasizes that gloves are NOT a substitute for hand hygiene; hands must be washed or sanitized immediately after glove removal to address microscopic punctures or contamination during doffing. Difficulty: Medium

Decontamination Gloves: Must be heavy-duty, puncture-resistant, and have long cuffs (gauntlet style) to cover the gown sleeves. They must be fluid-impermeable. Prep/Pack Gloves: Usually not required unless handling specific chemicals, as the focus shifts to protecting the instrument from the technician (skin oils/microbes). Exam Tip: HSPA highlights that vinyl gloves are generally discouraged in Decon due to low durability; Nitrile or specialized chemical-resistant gloves are preferred.

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection. This section lists OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), and the specific types of PPE (e.g., butyl rubber gloves, specific respirators) required to safely handle the substance. Key distinction: Section 8 is about proactive protection, whereas Section 4 is reactive first aid. For the exam, remember that Section 8 is the primary reference for selecting the correct gloves for decontamination tasks.

Plumbed: Weekly flush (3-5 mins) + Annual inspection. Self-contained: Check fluid levels weekly; replace solution based on manufacturer's expiration (often 2-3 years if sealed, or sooner if opened/tampered). Rationale: Self-contained units are used where plumbing is unavailable but require strict expiration tracking to prevent microbial growth. HSPA often tests the expiration date aspect of non-plumbed units.

The pressure relationships (negative in Decon, positive in Prep/Pack) are neutralized when dampers close. This is a safety feature to stop the spread of smoke through ductwork. Clinical Reasoning: While this prevents smoke travel, it also means the environmental separation of clean and dirty is temporarily compromised. Staff must focus on RACE rather than maintaining sterile parameters during an active fire.