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Infection Control · single question

Which statement about biological (spore) monitoring of sterilizers is NOT true?

  1. Spore tests use Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam sterilizers
  2. A spore test should accompany every implantable device load
  3. Spore testing should be performed at least once a month
  4. A failed spore test requires recall of items processed since the last negative test
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Correct answer: C. Spore testing should be performed at least once a month

  • A. ❌ True. Geobacillus stearothermophilus is the indicator organism for steam and chemical vapor; Bacillus atrophaeus is used for dry heat and ethylene oxide.
  • B. ❌ True. Every load containing an implantable device is spore-tested, and the device is quarantined until the result is known.
  • C. ✅ CORRECT — This is the FALSE statement. The CDC recommends biological monitoring AT LEAST WEEKLY, not monthly. Monthly testing would leave up to four weeks of instruments unverified after a sterilizer failure.
  • D. ❌ True. After a positive (failed) spore test, items processed since the last negative test are recalled and reprocessed.

Note: Monitoring layers: mechanical (gauges) + chemical (indicators, every package) + biological (spores, weekly). Only the biological test proves sterilization.

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