Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of cleaning in Medical Device Reprocessing Departments (MDRD)?

1. To maintain aesthetic appearance of devices

2. To ensure devices are free from visible contaminants

3. To remove proteins before disinfection or sterilization

4. To lengthen the lifespan of the devices

The correct answer is: To remove proteins before disinfection or sterilization

The primary goal of cleaning in Medical Device Reprocessing Departments (MDRD) is to remove proteins before disinfection or sterilization. Cleaning is a critical first step in the reprocessing of medical devices because it ensures that all organic and inorganic contaminants are effectively eliminated. This process is crucial for subsequent disinfection and sterilization stages since any residual contaminants can shield microorganisms from these processes, potentially compromising the safety and effectiveness of the device. While maintaining the aesthetic appearance of devices is important in some contexts, it does not address the safety and efficacy issues that arise from contaminants. Ensuring that devices are free from visible contaminants is part of the cleaning process but does not encompass the full scope of cleaning’s purpose, which requires the removal of all residues, especially proteins. Lengthening the lifespan of the devices may be a secondary benefit of proper cleaning, but it is not the primary goal of cleaning in the MDRD context. The essential focus is on preparing the devices adequately for disinfection and sterilization to uphold patient safety.