New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

How does high-pressure steam achieve sterilization?

1. By causing cell destruction

2. By killing bacteria and viruses

3. By producing steam heat

4. By removing moisture

The correct answer is: By killing bacteria and viruses

High-pressure steam achieves sterilization primarily by killing bacteria and viruses. The process involves exposing the items to steam at a high temperature and pressure, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the heat. At these high temperatures, the proteins within microorganisms denature, leading to the destruction of their structural integrity and ultimately causing cell death. This method is widely recognized in healthcare and laboratory settings for its ability to eliminate a broad spectrum of pathogens, including resistant bacterial spores. The other options, while related to the sterilization process, do not encapsulate the primary mechanism of how high-pressure steam operates. For example, while steam heat and moisture removal are factors that contribute to the sterilization environment, they do not directly explain the lethal effects on microorganisms as effectively as the killing of bacteria and viruses.