Instruments such as fiberoptic scopes are soaked in chemicals in a procedure called ____.

Instruments such as fiberoptic scopes are soaked in chemicals in a procedure called ____.

• A. Cold Sterilization
• B. Autoclaving
• C. Ethylene Oxide
• D. Dry Heat

Answer: (A)

Instruments that can't tolerate heat are sterilized using chemical sterilants, a process known as cold sterilization. Fiberoptic scopes are delicate and can be damaged by steam, heat, or pressure, so soaking them in a chemical sterilant at ambient temperatures achieves sterilization without harming the instrument. Autoclaving uses steam under pressure and would deform or ruin the scope; dry heat relies on high temperatures and long exposure; ethylene oxide is a gas-based method that requires specialized equipment and aeration time. So, the soaking-in-chemicals approach described here is best captured by cold sterilization.

Instruments that can't tolerate heat are sterilized using chemical sterilants, a process known as cold sterilization. Fiberoptic scopes are delicate and can be damaged by steam, heat, or pressure, so soaking them in a chemical sterilant at ambient temperatures achieves sterilization without harming the instrument. Autoclaving uses steam under pressure and would deform or ruin the scope; dry heat relies on high temperatures and long exposure; ethylene oxide is a gas-based method that requires specialized equipment and aeration time. So, the soaking-in-chemicals approach described here is best captured by cold sterilization.