Sterilization & Disinfection MCQ Quiz | Infection Control

Welcome to the Sterilization and Disinfection Quiz for MBBS students. This quiz is designed to test your understanding of crucial infection control principles, a cornerstone of modern medical practice. Covering a range of topics from physical methods like autoclaving and dry heat to chemical agents such as glutaraldehyde and ethylene oxide, these 25 multiple-choice questions will challenge your knowledge on their mechanisms, applications, and limitations. Mastering these concepts is vital for preventing nosocomial infections and ensuring patient safety. Assess your preparation, identify areas for improvement, and solidify your learning. After submitting your answers, you can review your score and download a PDF document containing all questions with their correct answers for future revision.

1. What are the standard temperature, pressure, and time settings for sterilization in an autoclave?

2. The most reliable biological indicator for steam sterilization (autoclaving) contains spores of which organism?

3. Which of the following methods is most suitable for sterilizing heat-labile liquids like serum or antibiotic solutions?

4. Which chemical agent is classified as a high-level disinfectant and can achieve sterilization upon prolonged immersion (6-10 hours)?

5. The Bowie-Dick test is performed daily in pre-vacuum autoclaves to check for:

6. What is the primary mechanism of action of dry heat sterilization (Hot Air Oven)?

7. Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a gaseous sterilant primarily used for:

8. Which form of radiation is non-ionizing and primarily used for surface disinfection of air and water?

9. Prions are notoriously resistant to conventional sterilization. Which method is most effective for their inactivation?

10. The term ‘antisepsis’ is correctly defined as:

11. Pasteurization of milk is a method of:

12. To ensure the removal of most bacteria from a solution by filtration, the membrane pore size should typically be:

13. The microbicidal action of ethylene oxide and glutaraldehyde is due to:

14. According to Spaulding’s classification, a flexible endoscope that contacts mucous membranes is considered:

15. Which of the following is a halogen-based disinfectant commonly used for water purification and surface disinfection?

16. Why is 70% alcohol considered more effective as a disinfectant than 95% alcohol?

17. Which of the following is NOT considered a method of sterilization?

18. The standard conditions for sterilization using a hot air oven are:

19. Tyndallization, or intermittent sterilization, is a process used for sterilizing:

20. The biological indicator used to monitor the effectiveness of ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization is:

21. Which group of disinfectants is known for having poor activity against bacterial spores and non-enveloped viruses like Poliovirus?

22. The term that defines the complete destruction or removal of all forms of microbial life, including endospores, is:

23. How does ionizing radiation (e.g., gamma rays) achieve sterilization?

24. An agent described as ‘bacteriostatic’ has which of the following effects?

25. Which method is most commonly used for the industrial-scale sterilization of disposable items like plastic syringes, catheters, and Petri dishes?