Recall or Reassure?
Ten things that happen on a real sterile processing shift. Each one lands on your desk and you make the call: recall the load, or let it ride. Every answer comes with warm coaching and a memory anchor, so the exam's recall traps stop being scary and start being easy points.
Recall questions the exam keeps asking
What triggers a sterilization recall?
A positive biological indicator, wet packs, an aborted cycle, any missed sterilization parameter, a failed Bowie-Dick test, or missing load records. Each one is a recall trigger on its own.
How far back does a recall go?
Back to the last negative biological indicator. Every load processed since that passing BI is treated as nonsterile, pulled, quarantined, and investigated.
Is a wet pack safe if the indicator changed color?
No. Moisture wicks contaminants through the wrap, so a wet pack is nonsterile regardless of indicator results. Wet packs get pulled and reprocessed.
What does a positive control BI mean?
The test is working. The control vial skips the sterilizer on purpose, so it should grow. Positive control plus negative test BI is the result you want.
Does every implant load need a biological indicator?
Yes. Every implant load gets a BI, and the implants stay quarantined until it reads negative.
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