Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

In gravity sterilizers, the effectiveness of sterilization at lower temperatures, such as 131 degrees Fahrenheit, is reliant on maintaining the appropriate time to ensure sterilization is achieved. The correct answer, 30 minutes, aligns with recommended practices for effective sterilization at this specific temperature.

At this temperature, the steam must adequately penetrate the items being sterilized to ensure all microorganisms are killed, and achieving this typically requires a longer exposure time than at higher temperatures. This duration allows the steam to adequately fill the sterilizer chamber and reach all surfaces of the instruments, ensuring that there are no cold spots where bacteria could survive.

While the other times listed may be used under different conditions or higher temperatures, they do not provide sufficient exposure for effective sterilization at the lower temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit. This understanding is critical for maintaining patient safety and preventing infection in surgical settings.