Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The recommendation for using distilled or sterile water for the final rinse in endoscope cleaning is based on the need to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the safety and efficacy of the endoscope reprocessing process. Distilled or sterile water is free from impurities, minerals, and microorganisms, which significantly reduces the chance of residues that could interfere with subsequent disinfection or sterilization processes.

In contrast, using tap water can introduce contaminants, such as chlorine, sediments, or microorganisms from municipal water systems, potentially leading to infection if residual water remains on the endoscope. Similarly, spring water and filtered water, while generally cleaner than tap water, may not be as reliably free of contaminants as distilled or sterile water. Therefore, for the final rinse, distilled or sterile water is essential in achieving a high level of cleanliness and ensuring patient safety.