AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

What is the desired outcome of sterilizing surgical instruments?

1. To disinfect the instruments

2. To prevent rusting

3. To eliminate all forms of microbial life

4. To ensure they are visually clean

The correct answer is: To eliminate all forms of microbial life

The primary goal of sterilizing surgical instruments is to eliminate all forms of microbial life. This includes not only bacteria but also viruses, fungi, and spores, which are potential sources of infection during surgical procedures. Surgical instruments are utilized in sterile environments, such as the operating room, where the risk of infection must be minimized to protect both the patient and the surgical team. Achieving complete sterility ensures that any instrument used during a procedure is free from any living microorganisms that could lead to postoperative infections. The process of sterilization typically involves methods such as autoclaving, which uses high-pressure steam to destroy organisms, or other strategies like chemical sterilization, all aimed at achieving this absolute level of cleanliness. While disinfection, rust prevention, and visual cleanliness are important aspects of instrument care and maintenance, they do not address the critical need to completely eradicate all microbial life, which is the priority in surgical settings to ensure patient safety and successful surgical outcomes.