Final answer:
Waste and equipment should not be autoclaved together due to different sterilization requirements. Separate autoclave cycles ensure proper decontamination of waste, and autoclaves are critical for sterilization and quality control. Therefore, correct option are b and b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can waste and equipment be autoclaved in the same cycle according to proper guidelines? The answer is b. No, as waste and equipment have different sterilization requirements.
It is important to use separate autoclave cycles for waste and equipment to ensure proper decontamination of waste and the sterilization of equipment.
This separation is necessary because the two may require different sterilization protocols, temperatures, or times. Additionally, biohazard waste must be sterilized before disposal to avoid the risk of contamination.
Autoclaves are essential for sterilizing medical and lab equipment as well as decontaminating waste. They work by using moist-heat sterilization, which is effective in killing all microorganisms, including endospores, by raising the temperature above water's boiling point under pressure.
The effectiveness of the autoclave is ensured through quality control measures such as recording pressures and temperatures, and using indicators like autoclave tape and biological spore tests.