Question

What BEST describes the MINIMUM exposure time, temperature, and pressure for pre-vacuum steam sterilization of wrapped items?

a) 10 minutes at 121°C at 15 psi
b) 20 minutes at 134°C at 30 psi
c) 30 minutes at 110°C at 10 psi
d) 15 minutes at 126°C at 20 psi

Answer 1

The minimum conditions for pre-vacuum steam sterilization of wrapped items are 20 minutes at 121°C at 15 psi, which ensures effective sterilization by allowing steam to penetrate the materials at a high temperature and pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimum exposure time, temperature, and pressure for pre-vacuum steam sterilization of wrapped items is most accurately described by the conditions of 20 minutes at 121°C at 15 psi. This is because standard operating temperatures for autoclaves used in sterilization processes are typically at 121°C, especially when dealing with the elimination of endospores, which require higher temperatures to be effectively neutralized.


The pressure of 15 to 20 psi is commonly used to increase the boiling point of water and allow for the penetration of steam into the materials being sterilized. While different materials and load sizes might require varying exposure times, the minimum for wrapped items is generally accepted to be 20 minutes to assure comprehensive sterilization.