Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO) Practice Exam

Which type of pressure is typically associated with the assembly area during medical device reprocessing?

1. Positive pressure

2. Negative pressure

3. Atmospheric pressure

4. Stable pressure

The correct answer is: Positive pressure

In the context of medical device reprocessing, the assembly area is typically maintained under positive pressure. This is crucial for ensuring that the environment remains clean and minimizes the risk of contamination. Positive pressure means that the air pressure in the assembly area is higher than the surrounding areas, which prevents airborne contaminants from entering the space through any openings or gaps. This is particularly important in health care settings where sterile instruments are handled and where maintaining a clinical level of cleanliness is vital for patient safety. While other pressures, such as negative pressure, are often used in areas where hazardous materials are handled to contain contaminants, or atmospheric pressure, which refers to the normal air pressure surrounding us, they do not provide the same level of protection in the assembly area. The concept of stable pressure is more qualitative and does not specifically relate to contamination control. Thus, maintaining a positive pressure is a best practice in the assembly area to uphold standards of sterility and safety during the reprocessing of medical devices.