Surgical Tech Practice Exam

Which instrument type is typically avoided in the presence of CJD?

1. Reusable instruments

2. Surgical lasers

3. Disposable instruments

4. Electrosurgical units

The correct answer is: Reusable instruments

The correct choice is reusable instruments. In the context of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by prions, the use of reusable instruments presents a significant concern. Prions are resistant to conventional sterilization methods, meaning that even if the instruments are cleaned, they may retain infectious agents that could transmit CJD if used on another patient. In contrast, disposable instruments are designed for single-use and can be safely discarded after a procedure, thereby mitigating the risk of transmitting prions. Surgical lasers and electrosurgical units are energy-based devices that do not come into direct contact with tissue in the same way as cutting or grasping instruments, thus posing a lower risk of prion transmission. Hence, reusable instruments should be avoided in procedures involving potential exposure to CJD.