Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of chemical indicators in sterilization processing?

1. To ensure contents are sterile

2. To show that a package has gone through sterilization

3. To provide real-time sterilization feedback

4. To indicate the temperature of the sterilizer

The correct answer is: To show that a package has gone through sterilization

The primary purpose of chemical indicators in sterilization processing is to show that a package has gone through sterilization. These indicators undergo a color change or some form of visual change when exposed to specific sterilization conditions, such as heat or steam, confirming that the sterilization process has been initiated. They are essential for verifying that items have been subjected to the necessary conditions without guaranteeing that the items are sterile. While ensuring the contents are sterile is a vital outcome of successful sterilization, chemical indicators alone do not provide evidence of the sterility of the contents themselves. Similarly, real-time sterilization feedback typically refers to monitoring devices that provide immediate results about the effectiveness of the sterilization process, which goes beyond the capabilities of chemical indicators. Lastly, while temperature indicators are useful for confirming that the sterilizer reached appropriate temperatures, they do not fulfill the role of chemical indicators, which specifically verify exposure to sterilization processes rather than just temperature.