SterilizationQuestion 58 of 100
During a steam cycle the sterilizer aborts and displays an air leak alarm. What is the correct response?
a.Restart the same cycle immediately, since aborted cycles do not affect the load
b.Consider the load unsterile, remove it from service, and do not release it; report the alarm so the sterilizer can be evaluated and repaired
c.Release the load if the external chemical indicators have changed color
d.Open the door and allow the load to dry, then run a Bowie-Dick test and release the load
Explanation
An aborted cycle means the process was not completed as validated, so the entire load is treated as unsterile and must be reprocessed after the equipment problem is resolved. An air leak specifically means air remained in the chamber and steam penetration cannot be assumed. External indicators show only that a package was exposed to some conditions, and a Bowie-Dick test performed later says nothing about a load that already failed.
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