Monitoring & QAQuestion 73 of 100
What is the correct handling of the control biological indicator that accompanies a test lot?
a.It is placed in the sterilizer alongside the test indicator
b.It is discarded because it is not part of the record
c.It is not sterilized, is incubated with the processed indicator from the same lot, and must show growth for the test to be valid
d.It is stored in a refrigerator until the end of the month
Explanation
The unprocessed control proves the spore population is viable and that the incubator and reading method are working, so it must turn positive while the processed indicator turns negative. If the control fails to grow, the test result is invalid regardless of what the processed indicator shows. Sterilizing the control defeats its purpose, and it must come from the same lot and be incubated at the same time.
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