Which device is used to sterilize equipment using steam under pressure?

Which device is used to sterilize equipment using steam under pressure?

• A. Sutures
• B. Autoclave
• C. Phlebotomist
• D. Hashimoto's disease

Answer: (B)

Steam under pressure is used in an autoclave to sterilize equipment. An autoclave uses saturated steam at high pressure to reach temperatures above 100°C, which rapidly denatures proteins and destroys microorganisms, including spores. This moist-heat method is highly effective because moisture transfers heat more efficiently and allows sterilization to penetrate instruments and lumens quickly. Typical cycles run around 121°C at 15 psi for about 15 minutes, or 134°C at 30 psi for shorter times, depending on the load. Among the options, only the autoclave is a device designed for this purpose; sutures are stitches, a phlebotomist is a person who draws blood, and Hashimoto's disease is a thyroid autoimmune condition.

Steam under pressure is used in an autoclave to sterilize equipment. An autoclave uses saturated steam at high pressure to reach temperatures above 100°C, which rapidly denatures proteins and destroys microorganisms, including spores. This moist-heat method is highly effective because moisture transfers heat more efficiently and allows sterilization to penetrate instruments and lumens quickly. Typical cycles run around 121°C at 15 psi for about 15 minutes, or 134°C at 30 psi for shorter times, depending on the load. Among the options, only the autoclave is a device designed for this purpose; sutures are stitches, a phlebotomist is a person who draws blood, and Hashimoto's disease is a thyroid autoimmune condition.