MDRAO Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Exam Prep Resource

Freezing is not a common method used for sterilization. Sterilization is the process of eliminating all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi. Effective sterilization methods typically involve the application of heat, chemicals, or radiation that can achieve this level of microbial death.

Autoclaving, for instance, utilizes steam under pressure to create high temperatures that effectively kill microorganisms, making it a standard method in many healthcare settings. Ethylene oxide (ETO) gas is another established sterilization method, particularly useful for heat-sensitive instruments, as it penetrates materials to sterilize without the need for high temperatures. Gas plasma uses ionized gas to achieve sterilization, providing another effective avenue for ensuring that instruments are free from contaminants.

In contrast, freezing does not kill microorganisms; instead, it merely slows their activity. Many bacteria and viruses can survive freezing temperatures and resume growth once conditions become favorable again. Therefore, freezing does not meet the criteria for a sterilization method and is not used in the context of medical device reprocessing.