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

Which option BEST describes a prion?

1. A Virus

2. An Abnormal Protein

3. A Bacterial Spore

4. A Living Cell

The correct answer is: An Abnormal Protein

A prion is best described as an abnormal protein. Prions are unique pathogens that differ from viruses, bacteria, or living cells, as they do not contain nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). Instead, they are misfolded forms of normal cellular proteins that can induce other proteins to also misfold, leading to the aggregation of proteins in neural tissues. This misfolding process results in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease. Understanding prions is essential in sterile processing and infection control, as they are remarkably resistant to conventional methods of sterilization, which complicates their control within healthcare settings. Their existence challenges traditional concepts of infectious agents, emphasizing the need for awareness of various types of pathogens and their properties.