Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO) Practice Exam

What does the Bowie-Dick Type Test assess?

1. The integrity of sterilization packaging

2. The presence of air in the sterilization package

3. The effectiveness of cleaning agents

4. The temperature accuracy of the sterilizer

The correct answer is: The presence of air in the sterilization package

The Bowie-Dick Type Test is specifically designed to assess the presence of air in the sterilization chamber during steam sterilization processes. Steam sterilization relies on the effective penetration of steam to ensure that all surfaces of the items being sterilized come into contact with the steam at the appropriate temperature and pressure. If air is present in the sterilization chamber, it can create barriers that prevent proper steam penetration, compromising the sterilization cycle and resulting in ineffective sterilization. The test utilizes a special test pack that contains a porous medium and a chemical indicator. If air is present, it will cause the test pack to fail, indicated by the reactive indicator not changing color. Therefore, detecting air in the sterilization chamber is critical for confirming that the sterilization process will be effective. While other options touch upon relevant concepts in sterilization, they do not align with the specific purpose of the Bowie-Dick Type Test. For example, assessing the integrity of sterilization packaging involves checking for physical damage or leaks, but not the presence of air in the chamber itself. The effectiveness of cleaning agents is related to the cleaning process before sterilization, and temperature accuracy ensures that the sterilizer operates within specified parameters, but these are not the focus of the Bowie-Dick Type