MDRAO Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Exam Prep Resource

Chemical indicators demonstrate a change when exposed to sterilization conditions by utilizing specific chemicals that change in response to the physical and chemical factors associated with the sterilization process. These indicators typically undergo a distinct color change when they reach the necessary temperature and duration required for effective sterilization. This transformation signals that the conditions sufficient for sterilization have been achieved, providing a way to verify that the sterilization has occurred.

In contrast, physical monitors are focused on assessing parameters such as temperature and pressure during the sterilization cycle but do not change in a way that indicates whether sterilization conditions have been met. Electronic sensors may also track these parameters electronically but do not provide a visual indication of the effectiveness of sterilization. Visual colorimetric indicators, while they do change color in response to certain conditions, are a type of chemical indicator designed explicitly for this purpose. Therefore, the ability of chemical indicators to indicate sterilization effectiveness through a color change makes them the correct answer.