Paper I — 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) — Q5
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Paper I
2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min
Question
Clinical applications of autoclave.
Q52 marksShort Notes
Answer
The autoclave achieves sterilization by moist heat under pressure (standard cycle: 121°C at 15 lbs/sq inch for 15–20 minutes), making it the method of choice for a wide range of hospital and laboratory materials:
Clinical/hospital applications:
Surgical instruments — scalpels, forceps, scissors, and other reusable metal instruments.
Dressings, gauze, and cotton swabs.
Rubber and latex goods — surgical gloves, catheters, tubing.
Linen and surgical drapes/gowns.
Sterilization of biomedical waste — decontamination of infectious hospital waste before disposal.
Sterilization of syringes and glassware (where not single-use disposable).
Laboratory applications:
Culture media — nutrient agar/broth and other bacteriological media are routinely autoclaved before use to ensure sterility.
Laboratory glassware — test tubes, flasks, Petri dishes (glass reusable ware).
Decontamination of used cultures/infectious laboratory waste before disposal, an essential biosafety step to prevent laboratory-acquired infection or environmental release.
Limitations (materials NOT suitable for autoclaving): heat/moisture-sensitive plastics, oils and powders (steam cannot adequately penetrate them), and sharp cutting-edge instruments (risk of blunting) — these require alternative methods (dry heat, gaseous sterilants, or radiation sterilization).
