PSI Texas State Board Nail Tech practice exam

What type of cleaning is effective in killing bacterial spores?

1. Sanitization

2. Disinfection

3. Sterilization

4. Decontamination

The correct answer is: Sterilization

Sterilization is the only method that effectively kills all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores. This process typically involves the use of high heat, steam under pressure, or chemical agents designed specifically to achieve complete elimination of microorganisms. Bacterial spores are particularly resilient and can survive extreme conditions, making them difficult to eradicate through less comprehensive cleaning methods. Sanitization is a process aimed at reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels, but it does not necessarily eliminate all bacteria or their spores. Disinfection is more focused on reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces, but it also does not guarantee the destruction of all spores. Decontamination refers to the removal of contaminants, which may include disinfection or sanitization, but it is not specific to eliminating all forms of microbial life. Therefore, sterilization is uniquely effective in ensuring that all bacterial spores are destroyed, making it the correct choice in this context.