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

What should be done with a worn stainless steel needle holder?

1. It can be reused if cleaned

2. It should be repaired

3. It must be discarded

4. It can be sharpened for continued use

The correct answer is: It must be discarded

A worn stainless steel needle holder should be discarded to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and instrument integrity. Over time, the wear and tear on surgical instruments like needle holders can compromise their function. This might include decreased grip strength, which could lead to improper suturing or potential injury during procedures. Reusing a worn instrument, even if cleaned, poses risks of infection and ineffective performance, as those instruments may not be able to hold needles securely any longer. Repairing a needle holder may seem like a viable option initially, but it can be impractical or even ineffective depending on the extent of wear and potential underlying issues that may not be visible. Sharpening an instrument like a needle holder is not applicable, as it does not have cutting edges that require sharpening; its design is intended for a firm grasp rather than cutting. Thus, discarding a worn needle holder is the most appropriate action to maintain patient safety and the operational standards of surgical instruments.