Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which method effectively removes small organic particles and soil from the box locks and ratchets of instruments?

1. Ultrasonic washer

2. Manual cleaning

3. Washer sterilizer

4. Enzymatic soak

The correct answer is: Ultrasonic washer

The ultrasonic washer is the method that effectively removes small organic particles and soil from the box locks and ratchets of instruments. This device operates by using high-frequency sound waves to create cavitation bubbles in a cleaning solution. When these bubbles collapse, they produce a scrubbing action that dislodges and removes debris, even from difficult-to-reach areas such as box locks and ratchet mechanisms. The effectiveness of an ultrasonic washer lies in its ability to penetrate intricate parts of surgical instruments, ensuring that contaminants are thoroughly cleaned away without damaging the instruments themselves. This method is particularly valuable in surgical settings, where maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness is essential for patient safety and the proper functioning of surgical tools. Other methods, such as manual cleaning, while useful, may not achieve the same level of thoroughness in hard-to-reach places. Washer sterilizers focus on the combination of washing and sterilization processes but may not specifically address small organic particles in complex instrument designs. Enzymatic soaks help break down organic soil but are typically part of a larger cleaning protocol and may not fully remove particles without additional mechanical action, like that provided by an ultrasonic washer.