Which of the following is used commercially for sterilisation of disposable plastic items?

NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2022

Explanation

Ethylene oxide (ETO) is a gaseous sterilant that effectively kills all microorganisms, including highly resistant bacterial spores.
It operates at low temperatures (typically 37–63°C), making it ideal for sterilizing materials that are sensitive to heat and moisture, such as plastics, rubber, and electronic medical devices.
Its high penetrability allows it to sterilize items even when they are pre-packaged, which is essential for maintaining sterility of disposable items until the point of use.
ETO is widely used in industrial settings for the large-scale, commercial sterilization of single-use medical supplies like syringes, catheters, and IV sets.

Option A: Ethyl alcohol is a disinfectant, not a sterilant. It is effective against many bacteria and viruses but cannot reliably destroy bacterial spores, which is a requirement for sterilization.
Option B: Glutaraldehyde is a liquid chemical sterilant. It is impractical for commercial sterilization of pre-packaged disposable items because it requires items to be fully immersed for a long duration (often hours) and then aseptically rinsed and dried.
Option C: An autoclave uses high-pressure steam at temperatures (121°C or higher) that would melt, warp, or destroy most disposable plastic items.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sterilization methods for heat-sensitive medical equipment as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary responsibility is to ensure patient safety, which includes using only sterile equipment for invasive procedures. Understanding sterilization methods helps in verifying that equipment is appropriate for use.
Nurses must inspect the packaging of disposable items for integrity (no tears or moisture) and check the sterilization indicator, which confirms the item has been processed. A compromised package means the item is not sterile.
What if? If a nurse mistakenly uses an item from a damaged package sterilized with ETO, the patient is at high risk for a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) because the sterility barrier was broken, allowing microbial contamination.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the process ('sterilisation'), the setting ('commercially'), and the material ('disposable plastic items').
The term 'sterilisation' implies a process that kills all microbial life, including spores. This immediately makes simple disinfectants like alcohol less likely to be the correct answer.
The material 'plastic' is the most critical clue. Plastics are generally heat-sensitive (thermolabile).
Evaluate each option based on its compatibility with heat-sensitive materials.
Recall or deduce that an Autoclave uses high heat and steam, which would damage plastic.
Consider Glutaraldehyde. It's a liquid, making it unsuitable for pre-packaged dry goods on a commercial scale.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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