Distinguish sterilization from disinfection and give an example of each.

• A. Sterilization eliminates all microorganisms and spores (e.g., autoclaving); disinfection reduces microbial load on inanimate surfaces (e.g., bleach).
• B. Sterilization only removes bacteria from surfaces; disinfection kills all organisms including spores.
• C. Sterilization uses chemical agents; disinfection uses physical methods only.
• D. Sterilization and disinfection are the same process; the terms are interchangeable.

Answer: (A)

Sterilization vs disinfection: sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including spores, leaving no detectable life. Disinfection lowers the number of viable microorganisms on inanimate surfaces but does not guarantee complete sterility. An example of sterilization is autoclaving, which uses high-pressure steam to kill all forms of life, including spores, making instruments safe for sterile body sites. An example of disinfection is using household bleach, which reduces the microbial load on surfaces but may not eliminate all organisms or spores. This distinction matters in practice: instruments that must be sterile undergo sterilization, while environmental surfaces are typically disinfected to reduce risk.