Question

Which of the following can be sterilized using high temperature methods?

1) complex surgical instruments
2) heat-sensitive instruments
3) all of the above
4) single-use instruments

Answer 1

Complex surgical instruments can be sterilized using high temperature methods such as autoclaving, which is effective for heat-stable materials required to achieve sterility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate choice for items that can be sterilized using high temperature methods is complex surgical instruments. High-temperature sterilization methods, such as autoclaving or dry-heat sterilization, are suitable for materials that can withstand the temperatures required to achieve sterility.

Complex surgical instruments are often designed to be heat-stable and can withstand the conditions of autoclaving, which uses moist-heat sterilization and is the most effective method of sterilization. Heat-sensitive instruments, on the other hand, would be damaged by these methods. Single-use instruments are typically already pre-sterilized and are not meant to be re-sterilized after use.