SterilizationQuestion 31 of 100
What is a standard gravity displacement steam cycle for a wrapped instrument set at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C)?
a.3 minutes
b.10 minutes
c.30 minutes
d.60 minutes
Explanation
At the lower temperature of 250 degrees F, a gravity cycle needs about 30 minutes of exposure to achieve the required lethality, plus drying time. Shorter exposures of 3 or 10 minutes do not deliver sufficient lethality at that temperature for a wrapped set. Sixty minutes exceeds the validated requirement and unnecessarily stresses instruments; time and temperature are inversely related, so higher temperature permits shorter exposure.
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