CRCST Practice Exam

The most critical step in processing surgical instrumentation is:

1. Drying

2. Inspection

3. Cleaning

4. Sterilization

The correct answer is: Cleaning

Cleaning is the most critical step in processing surgical instrumentation because it removes organic and inorganic debris from the instruments. If instruments are not cleaned properly, sterilization may not be effective, and leftover debris can lead to infection or other complications for patients. While drying, inspection, and sterilization are important steps in the processing of surgical instruments, they are not as critical as cleaning. Drying ensures that instruments are ready for packaging and storage, inspection verifies that instruments are clean and in good condition, and sterilization eliminates microorganisms. However, without thorough cleaning, the effectiveness of these steps can be compromised.