What is the primary goal of sterilization?

To eradicate all living microorganisms, including spores, achieving a minimum reduction of 10⁶ log CFU.

Which of the following methods is classified as a physical method of sterilization? A) Ethylene oxide B) Dry heat C) Formaldehyde D) Chlorhexidine

B) Dry heat

Riddle: I eliminate most pathogens but leave behind spores, and I'm often used for boiling water for 15 minutes. What am I?

Boiling

True or False: Asepsis involves the use of physical agents to destroy microorganisms.

False. Asepsis involves the application of chemical agents, known as antiseptics, to inhibit or destroy pathogens.

The effectiveness of disinfectants can be influenced by ______, which refers to the number of microorganisms present.

Organism load

Which concentration of ethyl alcohol is most commonly used for antiseptic purposes?

70% concentration

Fill-in-the-blank: ______ is a method of sterilization that uses steam at a pressure of 15 psi for 15 minutes.

Autoclave

What is the primary action of aldehydes in sterilization?

They interact with nucleic acids and proteins, inactivating them through crosslinking and alkylation.

Which agent is used as a biological indicator for autoclave effectiveness?

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Riddle: I can be a gas that sterilizes at low temperatures, but I'm flammable and potentially carcinogenic. What am I?

Ethylene oxide (ETO)

True or False: Hydrogen peroxide is ineffective in the presence of organic matter.

False. Hydrogen peroxide is effective in the presence of organic matter.

Fill-in-the-blank: The ______ method of pasteurization involves heating at 72°C for 20 seconds.

Flash

What type of radiation is used in ionizing sterilization?

X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays.

Which of the following is a characteristic of phenolic compounds? A) Non-toxic B) Effective in organic matter C) Used for antiseptics D) All of the above

B) Effective in organic matter

Riddle: I aid in reducing surface tension and can disrupt membranes, but I'm not a disinfectant. What am I?

Surfactant

True or False: Non-ionizing radiation is effective in penetrating glass and water.

False. Non-ionizing radiation does not penetrate glass, dirt, or water.

Fill-in-the-blank: The process used for sterilizing egg-based media is called ______.

Inspissation

What is the mechanism of action of hydrogen peroxide in sterilization?

It releases toxic free hydroxyl radicals that harm cellular components.

Which chemical agent is commonly used for gas sterilization and requires activation by alkalinization?

Glutaraldehyde

Fill-in-the-blank: The ______ test evaluates disinfectant effectiveness in the presence of organic matter.

Modified Rideal-Walker

True or False: Chlorine is effective against bacterial spores.

False. Chlorine is effective against vegetative bacteria and fungi but not spores.

What is the ideal pore size for membrane filters used in bacterial filtration?

0.22 µm

Which of the following is not a characteristic of quaternary ammonium compounds? A) Non-toxic B) Effective against spores C) Cationic surfactants D) Disrupt microbial membranes

B) Effective against spores

Riddle: I’m a chemical that works by oxidizing and can be used to disinfect water, what am I?

Chlorine

Fill-in-the-blank: The presence of ______ can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.

Biofilm

What is the primary disadvantage of using chlorine as a disinfectant?

It is interfered by organic matter and can be carcinogenic.

True or False: Plasma sterilization maintains high temperatures throughout the sterilization process.

False. Plasma sterilization maintains low temperatures.

Fill-in-the-blank: The ______ is a common test for assessing the effectiveness of disinfectants against Salmonella Typhi.

Phenol coefficient test

What type of sterilization is effective for heat-sensitive materials like vaccines?

Filtration

True or False: Prions are the most resistant microorganisms to disinfectants.

True.