What is an autoclave used for?

An autoclave is specifically designed for sterilizing medical instruments and equipment. It achieves this by using steam under pressure, which effectively kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores that may be present on surgical tools and other items. This method is crucial in healthcare settings to ensure that instruments are free of contaminants before they are used on patients, thus preventing infections and ensuring patient safety.

The sterilization process in an autoclave typically involves heating water to create steam, which is then sealed in a chamber. The combination of heat and pressure works to eliminate any microbial life, making the instruments safe for future use. Sterilization is a key aspect of infection control protocols in medical environments.

The other options refer to different processes and functions that do not describe the primary role of an autoclave. For instance, washing medical instruments pertains to the cleaning process that occurs before sterilization, while drying instruments is a separate step that may occur after cleaning and sterilization. Storing instruments in a safe environment relates to safeguarding the instruments post-sterilization to maintain their sterility, but is not a function of the autoclave itself. Hence, the role of the autoclave is limited specifically to the sterilization of instruments and equipment.