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CRCST Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management practice questions

Sterile storage conditions and shelving, event-related shelf life and stock rotation, supply chain and replenishment systems, distribution and transport, and recalls and inventory control. This domain is about 9% of the exam. Try each question, then open the answer.

Read the Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management study guide

Question 1

A sterile storage room is being fitted with new open shelving. Which layout meets the AAMI ST79 spacing recommendations?
  1. Bottom shelf 4 in above the floor, stock 18 in below sprinklers, 2 in from outside walls
  2. Bottom shelf 8 in above the floor, stock 12 in below sprinklers, 2 in from outside walls
  3. Bottom shelf 8 in above the floor, stock 18 in below sprinklers, 2 in from outside walls
  4. Bottom shelf 8 in above the floor, stock 18 in below sprinklers, flush with outside walls
Show answer

Answer: C. Bottom shelf 8 in above the floor, stock 18 in below sprinklers, 2 in from outside walls

AAMI ST79 recommends keeping sterile items at least 8 inches above the floor and at least 18 inches below the ceiling or sprinkler heads. Items also stay at least 2 inches from outside walls. These distances protect packages from floor dust and cleaning splash, keep sprinklers effective, and avoid condensation on exterior walls.

Source: ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017/(R)2022, section on sterile storage; HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 16, Sterile Storage and Transport

Question 2

A hospital uses event-related sterility for its in-house processed trays. A technician finds a wrapped tray processed 14 months ago. The wrap is dry and intact, the tape is unbroken, and it has not been dropped or crushed. What should the technician do?
  1. Reprocess it, because wrapped trays expire after 12 months
  2. Leave it in stock; no event has compromised the package
  3. Open it to check the internal indicator, then return it to the shelf
  4. Reprocess it, because event-related sterility applies only to commercial items
Show answer

Answer: B. Leave it in stock; no event has compromised the package

With event-related sterility, an item stays sterile until something compromises the package, such as moisture, a tear, a broken seal, compression or a drop. This tray is dry and intact with no event, so it remains usable. Good stock rotation (FIFO) should keep trays from sitting this long.

Source: ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017/(R)2022, section on event-related shelf life; HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 16, Sterile Storage and Transport

Question 3

A technician is putting away newly sterilized peel pouches on a shelf that already holds the same items. Where should the new pouches go?
  1. In front of the older pouches so they are easiest to reach
  2. On top of the older pouches to save shelf space
  3. On the floor beside the shelf until space opens up
  4. Behind the older pouches so the older stock is used first
Show answer

Answer: D. Behind the older pouches so the older stock is used first

Stock rotation follows first in, first out (FIFO): older items are used before newer ones. Placing new stock behind the old keeps the oldest items in front where they are picked first.

Source: HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 16, Sterile Storage and Transport (topic: stock rotation)

Question 4

The PAR level for IV start kits on a medical unit is 24. During the restocking round, a technician counts 9 kits on the shelf. How many kits should be delivered?
  1. 15
  2. 9
  3. 24
  4. 33
Show answer

Answer: A. 15

A PAR level is the set quantity that should be on hand. The restock amount is PAR minus what is on the shelf: 24 minus 9 equals 15.

Source: HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 19, Supply Chain Management Within the Sterile Processing Department (topic: PAR levels)

Question 5

A vendor delivers a loaner spinal instrument set the morning of surgery and says it was cleaned and sterilized at another hospital yesterday. What should SPD do?
  1. Send it to the OR as received, since it was already processed
  2. Sterilize it without cleaning, since it was cleaned yesterday
  3. Process it with immediate-use steam sterilization to save time
  4. Inventory it, then fully reprocess it per the vendor's IFU
Show answer

Answer: D. Inventory it, then fully reprocess it per the vendor's IFU

Loaner sets arriving from a vendor or another facility are treated as contaminated. They are checked against the inventory list and fully reprocessed (decontaminated, inspected, packaged and sterilized) per the IFU. This is why loaners should arrive early enough for complete processing.

Source: ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017/(R)2022, section on loaned instrumentation; HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 19, Supply Chain Management Within the Sterile Processing Department (topic: loaner instrumentation)

Question 6

The FDA announces a Class I recall for a lot of catheters that SPD stocks. What does Class I mean?
  1. Use of the product is unlikely to cause any adverse health effect
  2. Use of the product could cause serious harm or death
  3. Use of the product may cause temporary or reversible harm
  4. The product has a minor labeling issue and may stay in use
Show answer

Answer: B. Use of the product could cause serious harm or death

FDA Class I recalls are the most serious: there is a reasonable chance the product will cause serious health problems or death. Affected lots must be found and removed from stock right away and the removal documented.

Source: FDA recall classification, 21 CFR 7.3(m); HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 19, Supply Chain Management Within the Sterile Processing Department (topic: recalls)

Question 7

A manager ranks supply items by annual spending and finds that about 15% of the items make up about 70% of the total spend. How should these items be handled under ABC analysis?
  1. As A items, with the tightest control and most frequent review
  2. As C items, with simple controls and bulk ordering
  3. As A items, ordered in large volume to keep plenty on hand
  4. As B items, reviewed only at the annual inventory count
Show answer

Answer: A. As A items, with the tightest control and most frequent review

ABC analysis sorts inventory by its share of spending. A small share of items (A items) accounts for most of the cost, so they get the closest control, accurate counts and frequent review.

Source: HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th ed. (2023), Ch. 19, Supply Chain Management Within the Sterile Processing Department (topic: ABC analysis)

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