Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

How many hours must an item submerse in glutaraldehyde to sterilize?

1. 7

2. 8

3. 9

4. 10

The correct answer is: 10

For an item to be effectively sterilized using glutaraldehyde, it generally must be submerged for at least 10 hours. This is essential because glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant that takes a specific amount of time to achieve the microbial kill necessary for sterilization. The 10-hour immersion ensures that all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, are adequately inactivated. Glutaraldehyde works by penetrating microbial cell membranes and altering the proteins and nucleic acids, leading to cell death. Insufficient exposure time can result in incomplete sterilization, leaving some microorganisms viable. Hence, adhering to the recommended duration is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of surgical instruments and equipment that are sterilized using this method.