Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) Practice Exam

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In steam sterilization, what is required to increase temperature above 212 F?

Steam

Gravity

Vacuum

Pressure

In steam sterilization, increasing the temperature above 212°F is achieved through the application of pressure. At atmospheric pressure, water boils at 212°F, turning into steam. However, to reach higher temperatures required for effective sterilization, the environment must be pressurized. When steam is contained in a pressure chamber, the boiling point of water increases; for instance, at 15 psi above atmospheric pressure, the temperature can rise to approximately 250°F or higher, which is critical for achieving proper sterilization.

Thus, pressure plays a pivotal role in ensuring that steam sterilization is both effective and efficient by allowing steam to reach and maintain higher temperatures necessary to destroy all microbial life, including spores. This is why the correct answer essential for increasing the temperature during steam sterilization is pressure.

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