CRCST Chapter 15 Practice Test: High-Temperature (Steam) Sterilization

Steam sterilization remains the gold standard for reprocessing heat- and moisture-stable medical devices. This chapter explains how saturated steam under pressure achieves sterilization by denaturing microbial proteins and enzymes. You will learn the critical parameters — time, temperature, and pressure working together — and the standard cycles: gravity displacement (270F/132C for 15-30 minutes) and dynamic air removal / prevacuum (270F/132C for 4 minutes). The prevacuum cycle uses repeated vacuum pulses to remove air from packs and lumens, ensuring steam penetration. The chapter covers Bowie-Dick testing for prevacuum sterilizers, proper loading techniques (no overloading, items positioned for drainage), cycle documentation, and how to respond to wet packs, aborted cycles, and biological indicator failures.