Which statement about sterilization is true?

Which statement about sterilization is true?

• A. Sterilization kills all microbes including spores
• B. Sterilization is identical to disinfection
• C. Disinfection kills spores
• D. Disinfection kills all microbes including spores

Answer: (A)

Sterilization is the highest level of microbial control because it aims to destroy all living organisms, including the toughest forms like spores. In practical terms, that means using processes that can completely eliminate viable microbes, such as steam under pressure (autoclaving) or other sterilants, so nothing living remains to contaminate or cause infection. This is why the statement that sterilization kills all microbes including spores is true—it reflects that comprehensive level of destruction. Disinfection, by contrast, lowers the number of pathogens on surfaces but does not guarantee the destruction of all microorganisms, especially spores. That’s why statements about disinfection killing spores or all microbes are not accurate.

Sterilization is the highest level of microbial control because it aims to destroy all living organisms, including the toughest forms like spores. In practical terms, that means using processes that can completely eliminate viable microbes, such as steam under pressure (autoclaving) or other sterilants, so nothing living remains to contaminate or cause infection. This is why the statement that sterilization kills all microbes including spores is true—it reflects that comprehensive level of destruction.

Disinfection, by contrast, lowers the number of pathogens on surfaces but does not guarantee the destruction of all microorganisms, especially spores. That’s why statements about disinfection killing spores or all microbes are not accurate.