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

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What is the recommended cycle for processing decontaminated instruments from a suspected CJD case?

12 minutes at 250 deg F (121 deg C)
18 minutes at 273 deg F (134 deg C), prevac cycle
25 minutes at 270 deg F (132 deg C)
10 minutes at 300 deg F (150 deg C)

The correct answer is: 18 minutes at 273 deg F (134 deg C), prevac cycle

The recommended cycle for processing decontaminated instruments from a suspected transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) case, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), is critically important due to the unique characteristics of prions, which are the agents responsible for these diseases. Prions are notoriously resistant to standard sterilization methods. Processing instruments under specific conditions is essential to ensure complete deactivation of these pathogens. The correct choice of 18 minutes at 273°F (134°C) in a prevacuum cycle is consistent with established guidelines for sterilizing instruments that may be contaminated with prions. This condition has been shown to be effective in denaturing prions, thus minimizing the risk of transmission. In contrast, the other options do not meet the necessary conditions established for effective prion deactivation. Lower temperatures and insufficient exposure times, as seen in the other choices, may not achieve the level of sterilization necessary to ensure safety when dealing with such highly resistant infectious agents.