What may occur if an autoclave is overloaded?

When an autoclave is overloaded, the most significant concern is the inability of steam to penetrate the materials effectively. Autoclaves operate by using steam to sterilize instruments, and proper steam penetration is crucial for achieving sterilization. When the load is too heavy or improperly arranged, it can obstruct the steam's access to all surfaces of the items inside, leading to areas that may not receive adequate exposure to vapor. This lack of steam penetration can result in ineffective sterilization, as certain areas of instruments or materials may remain contaminated.

The other options may be concerns in their own right but do not represent the primary issue when an autoclave is overloaded. For instance, extended sterilization time can happen in cases of heavy loads, but it is not as direct a consequence of the overload itself as the ineffective steam penetration. Incomplete drying can also be a result of loading too many items, but it is generally a problem associated with the steam's ability to reach and evaporate moisture from all surfaces effectively. Lastly, while a higher risk of contamination could arise from improper sterilization, it is a secondary effect of the inability of steam to penetrate properly rather than a direct outcome of overloading. This makes the concern regarding steam penetration the most immediate and critical