Which of the following is NOT a sterilization method?

Prepare for the CBIC Certified in Infection Control (CIC) Exam with confidence. Utilize our multiple choice questions with explanations and hints to master infection control principles. Gear up and succeed!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a sterilization method?

Explanation:
Pasteurization is a mild heat treatment aimed at lowering the number of viable microorganisms to safe levels, not at eliminating every single organism. It uses lower temperatures or shorter times than true sterilization, so some microbes and spores can survive. Sterilization, by contrast, seeks to destroy all life, including spores, and is achieved by methods like steam under pressure, certain gas sterilants, or sterilizing filtration with validated pore sizes. Because pasteurization does not guarantee complete sterility, it is not considered a sterilization method.

Pasteurization is a mild heat treatment aimed at lowering the number of viable microorganisms to safe levels, not at eliminating every single organism. It uses lower temperatures or shorter times than true sterilization, so some microbes and spores can survive. Sterilization, by contrast, seeks to destroy all life, including spores, and is achieved by methods like steam under pressure, certain gas sterilants, or sterilizing filtration with validated pore sizes. Because pasteurization does not guarantee complete sterility, it is not considered a sterilization method.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy