Final answer:
The correct statement regarding the seven steps for instrument processing is that Step 4 is sterilization. The steps must be followed in order to ensure safety and effectiveness in instrument decontamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is true regarding the seven steps for instrument processing is C) Step 4 is sterilization. The steps for instrument processing are designed to ensure that medical instruments are properly decontaminated, cleaned, and sterilized before being reused. It's critical to follow these steps in a specific order for effectiveness and safety.
Step 1 typically involves pre-cleaning, not packaging, which often comes later to maintain the sterility of the instruments after they have been sterilized. Step 7 is not pre-cleaning, as that should have already taken place as one of the initial steps. Also, the steps cannot be performed in any order; they must be followed sequentially to ensure that the instruments are safe for patient care.