Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

High-level disinfection is aimed at eliminating all microorganisms, except large numbers of bacterial spores, and is crucial in infection control practices. The method identified as heating with steam or autoclaving leverages the effectiveness of elevated temperatures and pressure to achieve thorough disinfection.

Autoclaving is a widely recognized method for high-level disinfection because it utilizes steam under pressure, which raises the temperature to a point where most pathogens are effectively destroyed, making it an ideal choice in healthcare settings for instruments that can withstand moisture and heat.

While other methods like UV radiation can be effective in reducing microbial load, they are often used for surface disinfection rather than high-level disinfection of instruments. Similarly, submerging in alcohol is not consistently effective for high-level disinfection, particularly against certain spores. Soaking in saline solution does not provide any disinfection, as it simply dilutes or washes away contaminants without eliminating them.

Therefore, heating with steam or autoclaving is recognized as a reliable and validated method for achieving high-level disinfection in a variety of healthcare applications.