AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

How many hours must the steam sterilization biological indicator incubate?

1. 12 hours

2. 24 hours

3. 48 hours

4. 72 hours

The correct answer is: 24 hours

The steam sterilization biological indicator must incubate for 24 hours to effectively demonstrate the sterility of the process. During this time, the biological indicator, which contains spores of heat-resistant bacteria, will allow for observation of whether any spores have survived the sterilization process. If the spores remain viable, it suggests that the sterilization conditions were inadequate. It's important for surgical technologists to understand the incubation time for these indicators, as it ensures proper monitoring of sterilization effectiveness and patient safety. A 24-hour incubation period strikes a balance between prompt feedback on sterilization results and the biological activity needed to confirm the absence of viable organisms. The other options represent either insufficient or excessive incubation times, which could lead to a false sense of security regarding sterilization effectiveness or unnecessarily delayed results.