Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

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Which of the following is true regarding ethylene oxide sterilization?

  1. It requires high temperature for effectiveness.

  2. It can damage moisture-sensitive instruments.

  3. It is used exclusively for surgical instruments.

  4. It takes longer than steam sterilization.

The correct answer is: It takes longer than steam sterilization.

Ethylene oxide sterilization is a process that typically requires longer exposure times than steam sterilization. This is primarily because ethylene oxide (EO) relies on gas diffusion and the sterilization cycle is designed to ensure adequate contact time with all surfaces of the items being sterilized. The overall cycle includes phases such as preconditioning, exposure, and aeration, which are essential for effectively sterilizing the items. The longer duration of the ethylene oxide process compared to steam sterilization is also important due to the additional time needed for the gas to penetrate packaging materials and reach all areas of the instruments being sterilized. In contrast, steam sterilization usually operates at higher temperatures and relies on moisture to effectively kill microorganisms within a shorter time frame. Understanding the time differences between these methods is crucial for sterile processing technicians to ensure that surgical instruments are sterilized effectively while scheduling and workflow needs are met.