Define the process: Making an object free of all living organisms, including bacterial and fungal spores and viruses, is called what?

Introduction:
In infection control, terms like sanitization, disinfection, antisepsis, pasteurization, and sterilization have distinct meanings. Examinations often test whether you can pinpoint the term that implies absolute destruction of all microbial life, including resistant forms such as bacterial spores.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target outcome explicitly includes killing spores and viruses.
• The context is processing of instruments, media, or materials to eliminate viable organisms.

Concept / Approach:
Sterilization = destruction/removal of all forms of microbial life (including spores and viruses).Disinfection = reduction/elimination of vegetative pathogens on inanimate objects; spores may persist.Antisepsis = application of antimicrobial substances to living tissue to inhibit or destroy microorganisms (not necessarily sporicidal).Pasteurization = controlled heat to reduce pathogen load in foods/fluids; not sterilizing.Sanitization = lowering microbial counts to safe levels (public health standard), not total kill.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Match the requirement “including spores and viruses” with definitions. Only sterilization guarantees complete destruction of all viable forms. Select sterilization as the correct process.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard references define sterilization as an absolute state (within practical assurance levels), often achieved by steam under pressure, dry heat, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide plasma, or irradiation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Pasteurization: Sub-sterilizing heat; spores survive.
• Antisepsis: For living tissue; not necessarily sporicidal.
• Disinfection: May not inactivate spores.
• Sanitization: Public-health level reduction, not complete sterilization.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “high-level disinfection” equals sterilization; it may inactivate most spores but is not guaranteed sterilization.

Final Answer:
Sterilization is the complete removal or destruction of all microorganisms including spores.