Sterilization Methods and Monitoring Flashcards

What are the two main types of steam sterilizers used in healthcare facilities?

Answer: Gravity-displacement and dynamic-air-removal (pre-vacuum) steam sterilizers

Gravity-displacement and pre-vacuum are the two primary steam sterilizer types, differing in how they remove air from the chamber.

What is ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization and when is it used?

Answer: A low-temperature gas sterilization method for heat-sensitive and moisture-sensitive devices

ETO is a low-temperature gas sterilant for devices that would be damaged by the heat and moisture of steam sterilization.

How does hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization work?

Answer: Hydrogen peroxide vapor is injected into a vacuum chamber and energized into a plasma state, then breaks down into water and oxygen

H2O2 gas plasma sterilizes at low temperatures through vapor-phase killing plus plasma activation, leaving only harmless water and oxygen.

What are the three types of sterilization monitoring and what does each verify?

Answer: Physical monitoring verifies cycle parameters, chemical monitoring confirms sterilant exposure, and biological monitoring proves lethality to microorganisms

Physical checks the machine worked, chemical confirms exposure occurred, and biological proves killing happened.

What is immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) and when is it appropriate?

Answer: IUSS is an abbreviated cycle used only in urgent situations when a properly sterilized item is not available and patient safety requires immediate access

IUSS is reserved for urgent, unplanned situations and should never be used as a routine method or to compensate for insufficient inventory.

What is the significance of the D-value in sterilization science?

Answer: The D-value is the time required at a given temperature to kill 90% of a specific microorganism population

The D-value quantifies microbial resistance and is fundamental to calculating exposure times needed for the required Sterility Assurance Level.