What is the minimum temperature at which general surgical packs should be sterilized in an autoclave?

Sterilization in an autoclave is a critical process in veterinary medicine to ensure that surgical instruments and packs are free from all forms of microbial life. The minimum temperature for effective sterilization is 250°F (121°C). At this temperature, steam under pressure effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and spores that are resistant to other forms of disinfection.

This particular temperature and the associated pressure create an environment where steam can penetrate packaging materials and achieve sterilization. The duration of exposure to this combination of temperature and pressure is important, typically around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the load and type of autoclave used.

Other temperature options listed would not achieve the necessary sterilization conditions. For example, lower temperatures such as 121°F (49°C) or 212°F (100°C) do not provide the required conditions for effective sterilization and could allow viable organisms to survive. Similarly, while 340°F (171°C) is effective for some sterilization processes, it is primarily used for dry heat sterilization rather than steam under pressure, which is the principle of autoclaving.

Thus, the choice of 250°F (121°C) is accurate as it is the recognized and validated temperature for ensuring proper steril