Final answer:
It is true that autoclaves, boiling water, chemical sterilants, and ethylene oxide (ETO) gas are used to sterilize and disinfect medical equipment, with each method appropriate for different types of materials and levels of sterilization required. Option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that autoclaves use moist heat to kill pathogens and spores on surgical instruments to prevent infections, which is a practice that helps achieve sterilization by using pressurized steam to exceed the boiling point of water. Boiling water is used to clean less critical medical items like urinary catheters and suction tubes because these items require disinfection rather than sterilization. Chemical sterilants are necessary for heat-sensitive instruments and equipment, such as endoscopes and respiratory therapy equipment, where high temperatures could damage the items. Ethylene oxide (ETO) gas is indeed used for sterilizing medical materials that are sensitive to heat and moisture because it can penetrate materials within plastic wrappings and effectively sterilize them without high temperatures.
Autoclaves use moist heat to kill pathogens and spores on surgical instruments. Boiling water is used to clean urinary catheters, suction tubes, and drainage collection devices. Chemical sterilants are used to disinfect heat-sensitive instruments and equipment, such as endoscopes and respiratory therapy equipment. Ethylene oxide (ETO) gas is used for medical materials. Therefore, the statement is true.