Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What is a limitation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization?

1. It requires high temperatures

2. It is incompatible with cellulose

3. It cannot sterilize metal instruments

4. It can only sterilize bed linens

The correct answer is: It is incompatible with cellulose

Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization is an effective method for sterilizing a wide range of medical instruments and materials. One key limitation of this method is its incompatibility with cellulose materials, which can be affected by hydrogen peroxide. Cellulose-based products can degrade in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, preventing them from being effectively sterilized without compromising their integrity. This limitation arises because the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma process involves the introduction of hydrogen peroxide into a vacuum chamber where it is converted into a gaseous state and subsequently ionized. This process can lead to the breakdown of cellulose fibers, making it unsuitable for items made from these materials, such as certain types of surgical drapes and wraps. Other processes that utilize higher temperatures, such as steam sterilization, have their own set of limitations. While hydrogen peroxide gas plasma operates effectively at room temperature or slightly elevated temperatures, it maintains compatibility with many types of instruments, including metals. Thus, it can be suitable for sterilizing metal instruments. Regarding the sterilization of linens, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma is also not specifically restricted to just that; it is capable of handling a broader range of items beyond bed linens.