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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

CIS Practice Test: Check Your Instrument Specialist Knowledge

Quick, free quiz with CIS exam questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Vanessa FariasUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a CIS practice test quiz on a golden yellow background

This CIS practice test helps you check your skills in sterilization, cleaning, and instrument care. Answer exam-style questions to find gaps and build confidence. If you're also studying sterile processing or the OR, try the crcst practice test and the surgical tech practice test for more focused practice.

In steam sterilization, the Bowie-Dick test is primarily used to assess which function of the sterilizer?
Air removal and steam penetration in pre-vacuum cycles
Integrity of biological indicators
Water quality entering the boiler
Accurate chamber temperature display
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During manual cleaning, which water temperature is preferred to prevent coagulation of proteins on instruments?
Hot water above 60 C (140 F)
Ice-cold water near 0-5 C (32-41 F)
Warm water around 27-43 C (80-110 F)
Boiling water at 100 C (212 F)
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Which statement best describes cavitation in an ultrasonic cleaner?
Formation and collapse of microscopic bubbles that dislodge soil
Thermal denaturation of proteins
Mechanical brushing action created by water jets
Chemical oxidation of organic soils
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What is the primary purpose of instrument milk (lubricant) used after cleaning?
Remove residual bioburden
Prevent corrosion and ensure smooth hinge movement
Neutralize alkaline detergents
Provide sterilization at low temperatures
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Which is the correct action for point-of-use care of surgical instruments in the operating room?
Leave instruments closed to protect edges
Wipe gross soil and keep items moist with approved gel or water
Soak with saline to prevent drying
Rinse with hot water to kill microbes
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When assembling sets, ring-handled instruments should be placed in what position to facilitate cleaning and sterilant contact?
Open and unlocked
Closed and locked
Closed with tip protectors
Stacked tightly to minimize movement
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What is the primary difference between pre-vacuum and gravity steam sterilization?
Gravity cycles require higher temperatures
Pre-vacuum cycles cannot be used for wrapped items
Gravity cycles eliminate the need for drying
Pre-vacuum uses mechanical air removal prior to steam injection
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According to best practice, what is the maximum recommended weight for an instrument set to promote effective sterilization and staff safety?
9.1 kg (20 lb)
13.6 kg (30 lb)
11.3 kg (25 lb)
7.5 kg (16.5 lb)
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Which detergent type is most effective for removing dried blood soils during instrument cleaning?
Single-enzyme (protease) detergent
High-alkaline caustic detergent
Non-enzymatic neutral detergent only
Multi-enzymatic detergent (protease, lipase, amylase)
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Which packaging material is contraindicated for hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization?
Rigid container with validated filter
Polypropylene nonwoven wrap
Polyethylene pouch with Tyvek
Cellulose-based paper or cotton
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For gravity displacement steam at 121 C (250 F), which exposure time is commonly validated for wrapped instruments?
60 minutes
3 minutes
30 minutes
10 minutes
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Which device requires a leak test prior to each reprocessing cycle?
Electrosurgical cord
Powered orthopedic handpiece
Flexible endoscope
Rigid sterilization container
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Which water quality is preferred for final rinse to minimize spotting and residue on instruments?
Tap water
Distilled with added surfactant
Softened water
Deionized or reverse osmosis water
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Which low-temperature sterilization modality is most appropriate for heat- and moisture-sensitive devices with lumens validated for this method?
Gravity steam at 121 C
Dry heat
Ozone without device validation
Ethylene oxide (EO)
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Which chemical indicator class is designed to integrate multiple sterilization parameters and correlate with the sterility assurance level of the cycle?
Class 3 single-parameter indicators
Class 2 specialty indicators
Class 5 integrating indicators
Class 1 process indicators
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Implant loads sterilized by pre-vacuum steam should be released only after which condition is met?
Class 5 indicator has changed color
Bowie-Dick passed earlier in the day
Biological indicator for that load is negative
External chemical indicator is correct and load is dry
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AAMI ST79 recommends which air pressure relationship for the decontamination area relative to adjacent spaces?
Positive pressure relative to clean areas
Negative pressure relative to clean areas
Alternating positive and negative pressure hourly
Neutral pressure throughout the department
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Which test device provides the greatest challenge to a steam sterilization cycle for routine monitoring of loads?
Internal Class 4 indicator strip
Thermocouple probe taped to a tray
Class 1 process indicator on the outside of packs
Biological indicator inside an appropriate PCD
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Which statement about Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) is correct?
It should be limited to urgent, unplanned needs with device IFU compliance
It allows instruments to be transported uncontained
It is acceptable for routine sterilization of implantable devices
It guarantees sterility without biological indicators
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Which practice helps ensure steam penetration into long, narrow lumens during routine monitoring of steam sterilization loads?
Reducing dry time to prevent condensation
Adding extra trays to increase thermal mass
Wrapping with double muslin to retain heat
Using a wicking material or validated lumen accessory in the PCD
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Sterilization Principles -

    Grasp core methods and monitoring indicators to ensure effective sterilization per CIS practice test standards.

  2. Apply Cleaning and Decontamination Techniques -

    Execute appropriate cleaning protocols for various instruments to meet instrument specialist certification requirements.

  3. Differentiate Instrument Types and Care Procedures -

    Distinguish between instrument materials and handle instruments correctly to maintain functionality and safety.

  4. Analyze Certified Instrument Specialist Practice Test Scenarios -

    Interpret typical CIS test questions to recognize correct responses and strengthen exam readiness.

  5. Evaluate Sterilization Indicators and Quality Control -

    Assess chemical, biological, and mechanical indicators to confirm sterilization success during your CIS practice exam.

  6. Identify and Correct Reprocessing Errors -

    Spot common instrument processing mistakes and apply corrective measures to enhance compliance and performance.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Autoclave Sterilization Parameters -

    To ace your cis practice test, review standard gravity displacement cycles at 121°C (250°F) for 15 minutes or high-temperature prevacuum cycles at 132°C (270°F) for 4 minutes, ensuring 15 psi for adequate microbial kill (AAMI ST79 guidance). Remember the mnemonic "121 - 15 - 15" (°C - minutes - psi) to lock in primary settings. Test daily with a Bowie-Dick test to detect air leaks and inadequate steam penetration (CDC Sterilization Guidelines).

  2. Chemical Sterilant Principles -

    Understand high-level liquid sterilants like glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide solutions, with exposure times ranging from 12 - 30 minutes at 25°C (Rutala et al., CDC). Use chemical indicators (Class 1 process indicators and Class 5 integrating indicators) to confirm sterilant penetration. Mnemonic "GHP" (Glutaraldehyde, Hydrogen peroxide, Peracetic acid) helps recall primary chemistries.

  3. Cleaning and Decontamination Process -

    Master the three-step cleaning workflow: presoaking, manual or ultrasonic cleaning, and thorough rinsing, as outlined by ANSI/AAMI ST79. Enzymatic detergents break down soils; check for residual protein with an ATP bioluminescence test (ISO 15883-5). Always follow manufacturer instructions for detergent concentration and contact time to avoid instrument damage.

  4. Packaging and Storage Best Practices -

    Follow package integrity guidelines using FDA-cleared wrappers, rigid containers, or peel pouches, verifying filter integrity and seal strength (AAMI TIR12). Label packs with sterilization date, cycle parameters, and operator initials, employing first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation for stock management. Store in a clean, dry environment at controlled temperature to maintain sterility until point of use.

  5. Quality Assurance and Monitoring -

    Implement mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring in every sterilization cycle: record time, temperature, and pressure gauges, use Class 5 integrating indicators inside packs, and run weekly biological indicators with Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores (AAMI ST79). Maintain logs and corrective action records to comply with Joint Commission and CDC standards. Establish a routine review protocol to identify trends and ensure continuous process improvement.

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