Infection Prevention & SafetyQuestion 91 of 100
Which list correctly ranks microorganisms from most resistant to least resistant to sterilization and disinfection?
a.Prions, bacterial spores, mycobacteria, nonenveloped viruses, fungi, vegetative bacteria, enveloped viruses
b.Enveloped viruses, vegetative bacteria, fungi, bacterial spores, prions
c.Vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores, prions, fungi, mycobacteria
d.Fungi, prions, enveloped viruses, bacterial spores, mycobacteria
Explanation
Prions are the most resistant agents known and require special extended reprocessing protocols, followed by bacterial spores, which is why spores are used as the challenge organism in biological indicators. Enveloped viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV are among the easiest organisms to inactivate because their lipid envelope is fragile. The other sequences reverse or scramble this hierarchy.
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