What is the minimum contact period for sterilization of AMBU bag with 2% glutaraldeyde?

PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Sterilization is the complete elimination of all microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores.
2% glutaraldehyde is a chemical sterilant, but its sporicidal (spore-killing) action is time-dependent and requires prolonged immersion.
The generally accepted minimum contact time to achieve sterilization with 2% glutaraldehyde is between 10 to 12 hours.
Among the given options, 12 hours represents the correct minimum time frame to ensure the destruction of spores and achieve sterilization.

Option A: A contact time of 20 minutes is insufficient for sterilization as it does not reliably kill all bacterial spores.
Option C: While 24 hours would certainly sterilize the equipment, it is an unnecessarily long duration that exceeds the required minimum time.
Option D: A 48-hour immersion is excessively long, provides no additional sterilizing benefit, and significantly increases the potential for damage to the plastic and rubber components of the AMBU bag.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Chemical Sterilization with Glutaraldehyde as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
An AMBU bag is a semi-critical device. Incorrect reprocessing can lead to patient-to-patient transmission of infections, posing a significant patient safety risk.
Nurses must be knowledgeable about the difference between disinfection and sterilization and strictly follow hospital protocols and manufacturer's instructions for reprocessing equipment.
What if? The goal was only high-level disinfection between routine patient uses? In that case, a 20-45 minute soak would be sufficient and the correct answer would be 20 minutes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: "sterilization," "AMBU bag," and "2% glutaraldehyde."
The most critical term is "sterilization." This requires killing all microbial life, including highly resistant spores.
Recall or deduce the difference between disinfection and sterilization. Disinfection is a faster process that reduces pathogens, while sterilization is a slower, more thorough process.
Associate 2% glutaraldehyde with its dual capability: a short time (minutes) for disinfection and a long time (hours) for sterilization.
Evaluate the options: 20 minutes is a disinfection time. 12 hours is a plausible sterilization time. 24 and 48 hours are excessively long.
Select 12 hours as the most appropriate minimum time for sterilization from the given choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Chemical Sterilization with Glutaraldehyde
Stem keywords: minimum contact period, sterilization, AMBU bag, 2% glutaraldehyde
Lead-in keywords: What is
Negative lead-in flag: false

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