CRCST Practice Exam

Which class of indicators is the Bowie Dick Test?

1. Biological Indicator

2. Chemical Indicator

3. Class 5 Integrating Indicator

4. Class 6 Emulating Indicator

The correct answer is: Chemical Indicator

The Bowie Dick Test is a type of chemical indicator. Chemical indicators are designed to change color or undergo a visible change when exposed to specific sterilization processes, helping to indicate whether the conditions necessary for sterilization have been met. In the case of the Bowie Dick Test, it is specifically used to test the effectiveness of the pre-vacuum steam sterilization cycle in removing air from the sterilizer chamber. Biological indicators (Choice A) contain living organisms that are used to directly assess the sterilization process, Class 5 integrating indicators (Choice C) are typically used in monitoring steam sterilization processes, and Class 6 emulating indicators (Choice D) are used to simulate the behavior of microorganisms within a sterilization cycle. However, the Bowie Dick Test is classified under chemical indicators as it reacts to the conditions present during the specific sterilization process it is testing.