Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

What is the recommended temperature for sterilization in an autoclave?

1. 121°C to 123°C

2. 98.6°C

3. 100.4°F

4. 37.6°C

The correct answer is: 121°C to 123°C

The recommended temperature for sterilization in an autoclave is between 121°C to 123°C. This temperature range is critical for effectively killing a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores. The autoclave uses steam under pressure, which increases the temperature and ensures that the items being sterilized are thoroughly exposed to the heat. At 121°C, the effectiveness of steam sterilization is maximized, making it a standard practice in healthcare settings for sterilizing surgical instruments, laboratory equipment, and other items that must be free of pathogens. The specific time required at this temperature may vary depending on the load and the items being sterilized, but maintaining the temperature within this range is essential to achieving proper sterilization. Lower temperatures, such as those listed in the other options, do not provide adequate conditions for sterilization. For instance, 98.6°C and 100.4°F (which equal 37°C and 38°C, respectively) are temperatures typical of the human body and do not have the necessary heat to eliminate pathogens effectively. Similarly, 37.6°C is also a body temperature and likewise inadequate for sterilization purposes. Therefore, only the range of 121°C to 123°C is