California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Written Practice Exam

Which of the following indicators is placed inside every package of instruments prior to sterilization?

1. Biological

2. Mechanical

3. Chemical

4. Physical

The correct answer is: Chemical

Chemical indicators, also known as process indicators or internal indicators, are specifically designed to react to a specific sterilization process and can be placed inside every package prior to sterilization. This allows for the indicators to indicate if the instrument package has been exposed to the sterilization process and ensures that all areas within the package have been reached by the sterilizing agent. The other options, biological, mechanical, and physical indicators, are not placed inside the package but are used to monitor the sterilization process. Biological indicators involve using live, non-pathogenic microorganisms to test the effectiveness of the sterilization process. Mechanical indicators measure time, temperature, and pressure during the process. Physical indicators monitor the physical aspects of the process, such as color change or destruction of packaging. While these are important indicators in ensuring proper sterilization, they are not placed inside the package itself. Therefore, they are not the