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

What is the recommended action for instruments used on patients with known or suspected CJD?

1. Dispose of the instruments immediately

2. Decontaminated as usual

3. Soak in alcohol for 24 hours

4. Only use once and discard

The correct answer is: Decontaminated as usual

The recommended action for instruments used on patients with known or suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) involves specific protocols to mitigate the risk of transmission of prions, which are the infectious agents associated with this disease. Decontamination as per the guidelines is crucial due to the robustness of prions against standard sterilization processes. While options like disposing of the instruments may seem straightforward, this approach may not align with the recommendation to ensure safe reuse while following stringent decontamination protocols. Soaking in alcohol or using instruments only once does not effectively address the unique challenges posed by prion diseases, as prions are resistant to many chemical disinfectants and traditional sterilization methods. The correct action emphasizes the need for specialized decontamination processes that often include extended exposure to high temperatures and/or specific chemicals designed to inactivate prions. This approach ensures that instruments are safely decontaminated while allowing them to be reused in a clinical setting when necessary.