Question

When cooled items are unloaded from the steam sterilizer rack, they should be handled with_________.

Answer 1

Cooled items from a steam sterilizer should be handled with sterilized tools or gloves to maintain sterility. Items sterilized by autoclaves need careful handling to avoid recontamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

When cooled items are unloaded from the steam sterilizer rack, they should be handled with clean and preferably sterile tools, such as sterilized forceps or gloves. This is to maintain the sterility of the items. Sterilizers, like autoclaves, use moist-heat to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including endospores. After sterilization, items must be handled in an aseptic way to prevent recontamination.

Technicians using autoclaves need to follow strict protocols to ensure that the aseptic environment is maintained. This involves using tools such as metal forceps or sterile gloves when transferring sterilized items from the autoclave to their storage or immediate use location. By doing so, we prevent potential infections or sample contaminations.