CH. 9 DISINFECTION WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE ANSWERS GRADED
A+ (2026)
Define antiseptic. - answer-A solution which inhibits the growth of bacteria usually used
topically and only on animate objects.
Define disinfectant. - answer-A chemical which kills most pathogenic organisms, but
does not kill spores.
Define bactericidal. - answer-Relating to the destruction of bacteria.
Define thermal disinfection. - answer-The use of heat to kill all microorganisms except
spores.
Define sterilization. - answer-A process by which all forms of microbial life are
destroyed.
Minimum effective concentration testing is required when using this disinfectant. -
answer-Ortho-phthalaldehyde
Define wet contact time. - answer-The length of time an item must remain wet with a
disinfectant.
Define disinfection. - answer-The destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms
on an inanimate surface.
The frequency the concentration level of a high-level disinfectant must be tested. -
answer-Each use.
, When manually disinfecting lumens, care should be taken to ensure there are no _____
present inside the lumens. - answer-air bubbles.
This low-level disinfectant is often used in environmental sanitation, ie. floors, wall, and
furniture. It is incompatible with soaps and its concentration may be diminished by
some materials such as cotton, wool, filter paper, and charcoal. - answer-Quaternary
ammonium compounds
This high-level disinfectant is used for semi-critical devices such as endoscopes. Once
it is activated it must be checked routinely using test strips to ensure its concentration.
Because of its fumes employees who work with it must follow specific OSHA guidelines
for safety. - answer-Glutaraldehyde
This common disinfectant has been in use for several years and is often used to
disinfect equipment. It is inactivated by organic soil. In order to achieve a reasonable
level of disinfection, it must remain in wet contact with the item being disinfected for at
least five minutes; this can be a problem because it evaporates quickly. - answer-
Alcohol
This intermediate-level disinfectant is a member of the halogen disinfectant family.
Although it may be found in Central Service decontamination areas, it is not
recommended for use on instruments because of its corrosive qualities. - answer-
Chlorine
This low-level disinfectant is incompatible with soap.
A. Alcohol
B. Phenol
C. Quaternary ammonium compounds
D. Ortho-phthalaldehyde - answer-C. Quaternary ammonium compounds
T/F When using glutaraldehyde, technicians should always wear latex gloves for
protection. - answer-False
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE ANSWERS GRADED
A+ (2026)
Define antiseptic. - answer-A solution which inhibits the growth of bacteria usually used
topically and only on animate objects.
Define disinfectant. - answer-A chemical which kills most pathogenic organisms, but
does not kill spores.
Define bactericidal. - answer-Relating to the destruction of bacteria.
Define thermal disinfection. - answer-The use of heat to kill all microorganisms except
spores.
Define sterilization. - answer-A process by which all forms of microbial life are
destroyed.
Minimum effective concentration testing is required when using this disinfectant. -
answer-Ortho-phthalaldehyde
Define wet contact time. - answer-The length of time an item must remain wet with a
disinfectant.
Define disinfection. - answer-The destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms
on an inanimate surface.
The frequency the concentration level of a high-level disinfectant must be tested. -
answer-Each use.
, When manually disinfecting lumens, care should be taken to ensure there are no _____
present inside the lumens. - answer-air bubbles.
This low-level disinfectant is often used in environmental sanitation, ie. floors, wall, and
furniture. It is incompatible with soaps and its concentration may be diminished by
some materials such as cotton, wool, filter paper, and charcoal. - answer-Quaternary
ammonium compounds
This high-level disinfectant is used for semi-critical devices such as endoscopes. Once
it is activated it must be checked routinely using test strips to ensure its concentration.
Because of its fumes employees who work with it must follow specific OSHA guidelines
for safety. - answer-Glutaraldehyde
This common disinfectant has been in use for several years and is often used to
disinfect equipment. It is inactivated by organic soil. In order to achieve a reasonable
level of disinfection, it must remain in wet contact with the item being disinfected for at
least five minutes; this can be a problem because it evaporates quickly. - answer-
Alcohol
This intermediate-level disinfectant is a member of the halogen disinfectant family.
Although it may be found in Central Service decontamination areas, it is not
recommended for use on instruments because of its corrosive qualities. - answer-
Chlorine
This low-level disinfectant is incompatible with soap.
A. Alcohol
B. Phenol
C. Quaternary ammonium compounds
D. Ortho-phthalaldehyde - answer-C. Quaternary ammonium compounds
T/F When using glutaraldehyde, technicians should always wear latex gloves for
protection. - answer-False
