New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

Which process is effective in killing spores?

1. Disinfection

2. Sanitization

3. Sterilization

4. Cleaning

The correct answer is: Sterilization

Sterilization is the process that effectively kills all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, which are among the most resistant forms of microorganisms. This method ensures that surfaces, instruments, and materials are free from any viable spores, thereby preventing the risk of infection and contamination. In contrast, disinfection primarily involves reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces or skin, but may not be effective against all spores. Sanitization focuses on reducing the microbial load to safe levels, but again does not guarantee the elimination of spores. Cleaning is the removal of dirt and debris, which may eliminate some microbes but does not specifically target spores. Therefore, among the options, sterilization is the only process that guarantees the complete destruction of spores, making it the correct choice in this context.