Final answer:
The term 'decontamination' is used to describe the process of removing all organic material, blood, and blood products from an instrument before autoclaving. Option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to mean "remove all organic material, blood, and blood products from an instrument, prior to autoclaving" is D) Decontamination. Decontamination is the process of making an object or material safe by removing or neutralizing contaminants like infectious agents or organic material.
This is a critical step because it minimizes the number of microbial contaminants and is usually done before sterilization or disinfection procedures.
Sterilization, on the other hand, refers to the complete removal or killing of all vegetative cells, endospores, and viruses, often achieved using physical means such as an autoclave, or chemical means with sterilants.
The term used to mean "remove all organic material, blood, and blood products from an instrument, prior to autoclaving" is Decontamination (option D).
Decontamination involves removing or reducing microorganisms and their products from surfaces or objects to a level that is safe for handling or use. It is an important step in ensuring that instruments are ready for sterilization.
For example, before placing instruments in an autoclave for sterilization, they need to be thoroughly decontaminated to remove any organic debris or biofilms that can interfere with the sterilization process.