Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What factor, along with temperature, time, and moisture, determines the steam sterilization outcome?

1. Concentration

2. Weight

3. Aeration

4. Pressure

The correct answer is: Pressure

The determining factor for steam sterilization outcomes, along with temperature, time, and moisture, is pressure. During the steam sterilization process, pressure is crucial because it helps to raise the boiling point of water, allowing steam to achieve higher temperatures. This high temperature is necessary for effectively killing microorganisms. As steam is under pressure, it not only increases its temperature but also penetrates the materials being sterilized more efficiently. In steam sterilization, ensuring that the equipment and instruments reach the appropriate pressure is essential for achieving sterilization standards. The relationship between pressure and temperature is guided by the principles of physics and thermodynamics, specifically how steam behaves under different pressure conditions. While factors such as concentration, weight, and aeration are relevant in other contexts or types of sterilization techniques, pressure directly impacts the steam sterilization process by enhancing thermal efficiency, thus ensuring that all microbial life is eliminated effectively.