Process of sterilization of articles and instruments by steam under pressure is called?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Explanation

Autoclaving is the specific term for sterilization using steam under pressure.
The process works because applying pressure allows steam to reach temperatures higher than the normal boiling point of water (e.g., 121°C at 15 psi).
This high-temperature, pressurized steam is highly effective at penetrating materials and destroying all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores, ensuring sterility.

Option A: A hot air oven uses dry heat, not steam under pressure. It is a different method of sterilization.
Option C: Fumigation is a chemical sterilization process that uses gas (like ethylene oxide or formaldehyde), not steam.
Option D: A hot water dip, or boiling, uses moist heat but does not involve pressure. It typically reaches only 100°C.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Methods of Sterilization and Disinfection as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper sterilization of medical equipment is a cornerstone of infection control, critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Nurses must ensure that instruments are appropriate for autoclaving and that the process is monitored using chemical indicators (e.g., autoclave tape) and biological indicators (spore tests) to verify sterility.
What if an instrument is heat-sensitive? Then a low-temperature sterilization method like ethylene oxide (ETO) gas or hydrogen peroxide plasma must be used instead of autoclaving to prevent damage.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'sterilization', 'steam', and 'pressure'.
Think about the definition of each option provided.
Recognize that 'steam under pressure' is the unique characteristic of a specific sterilization method.
Match these keywords to the correct term. 'Auto' relates to self, and 'clave' from the Latin 'clavis' for key, historically referring to a self-locking device. In this context, it's a pressurized, sealed chamber.
Eliminate other options: 'Hot air oven' is dry heat, 'fumigation' is chemical gas, and 'hot water dip' lacks the critical 'pressure' component.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) pp. 126-128, 127-129

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 231-233

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