SterilizationQuestion 40 of 100
After a steam cycle finishes and the load is removed, how should the load be handled?
a.Transferred immediately to sterile storage to protect it from room air
b.Placed on a solid countertop and covered with a clean towel while it cools
c.Unloaded and immediately handled by staff wearing clean gloves
d.Left undisturbed on the cart in a low-traffic, draft-free area until fully cool, typically 30 minutes or longer, before it is touched or moved
Explanation
Hot packages are vulnerable because handling them can drive condensation and contamination through the packaging, so the load is left to cool on the cart away from vents, drafts, and traffic. Cooling times of 30 minutes to an hour or more are common depending on load density. Placing hot items on a cold solid surface or covering them traps condensate, and gloves do not protect a package that is still hot and damp.
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