Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is the proper method for preparing a Frazier suction tip for steam sterilization?

1. Lumen is dry

2. Distilled water in lumen

3. Stylet is left inside lumen

4. Disinfectant solution in lumen

The correct answer is: Distilled water in lumen

Preparing a Frazier suction tip for steam sterilization involves ensuring that the lumen is adequately prepared to prevent issues during the sterilization process. The correct method involves placing distilled water inside the lumen of the suction tip before sterilization. This is essential because the presence of distilled water helps ensure that steam can effectively penetrate the device during the sterilization cycle, which is crucial for eliminating any microbial contamination. Using distilled water rather than other solutions, such as disinfectants, is important, as disinfectants can potentially interfere with the steam sterilization process or leave residues that may not completely evaporate, potentially compromising the sterility of the instrument. The method also ensures that any air is displaced from the lumen, facilitating complete sterilization throughout the entire device. In contrast, ensuring the lumen is dry, leaving a stylet inside, or using a disinfectant solution would not be optimal for preparing the suction tip for steam sterilization. A dry lumen can hinder steam penetration, a stylet may obstruct the flow of steam, and disinfectants may not be suitable for the sterilization process intended for surgical instruments. Thus, filling the lumen with distilled water is the best practice for effective steam sterilization of a Frazier suction tip.