Which autoclave setting achieves effective sterilisation according to the provided guidance?

• A. 34°C for 3 minutes (vacuum)
• B. 100°C for 10 minutes
• C. 121°C for 15-30 minutes (non-vacuum)
• D. 180°C for 5 minutes

Answer: (C)

Sterilisation with an autoclave works by exposing instruments to steam at a high enough temperature for a sufficient time to inactivate all microorganisms, including spores. This is why 121°C for 15–30 minutes in a non-vacuum cycle is the best choice: the temperature is high enough to reliably kill microbes and the 15–30 minute exposure ensures the steam can penetrate the entire load, giving thorough sterilisation even through wraps. The lower options won’t provide the necessary lethality or duration—34°C is far too cool, and 100°C, while hot, is still below what’s required to guarantee sterility. The 180°C setting isn’t a standard steam autoclave cycle and would not reflect the non-vacuum steam method described.