BY 206 Willems Questions with Correct Answers
List the 4 methods of microbial control used outside the body.
1. Commercial Sterilization
2. Disinfection
3. Decontamination (sanitation)
4. Antisepsis (degermation)
Commercial Sterilization:
The complete removal or destruction of all viable microorganisms including viruses and
endospores
Disinfection:
The destruction or removal of vegetative pathogens and harmful products of microorganism
(toxins) but not bacterial endospores
Decontamination:
The mechanical removal of most microbes and other debris to reduce contamination to safe
levels (aka sanitation)
Antisepsis:
Chemicals applied to body surfaces (living tissues) to destroy or inhibit vegetative pathogens
*reduces number of microbes on human skin
What particular endospore is targeted in sterilization?
Botulinum spores
, List some effective agents used for sterilization?
-Heat (autoclave)
-Sterilants (chemical agents capable of destroying endospores)
List some effective agents used for disinfecting.
-bleach
-iodine
-heat (boiling)
List some effective agents used for decontamination.
-soaps
-detergents
-commercial dishwashers
List some effective agents used for antisepsis.
-alcohol
-surgical hand scrubs
Sterilization is generally reserved for _____________ objects.
Inanimate
*commun uses being surgical instruments, syringe, commercially packaged foods
Disinfectants are not typically used on human skin because...
Concentrations to be effective are harmful to our skin
What are some common uses for disinfectants?
List the 4 methods of microbial control used outside the body.
1. Commercial Sterilization
2. Disinfection
3. Decontamination (sanitation)
4. Antisepsis (degermation)
Commercial Sterilization:
The complete removal or destruction of all viable microorganisms including viruses and
endospores
Disinfection:
The destruction or removal of vegetative pathogens and harmful products of microorganism
(toxins) but not bacterial endospores
Decontamination:
The mechanical removal of most microbes and other debris to reduce contamination to safe
levels (aka sanitation)
Antisepsis:
Chemicals applied to body surfaces (living tissues) to destroy or inhibit vegetative pathogens
*reduces number of microbes on human skin
What particular endospore is targeted in sterilization?
Botulinum spores
, List some effective agents used for sterilization?
-Heat (autoclave)
-Sterilants (chemical agents capable of destroying endospores)
List some effective agents used for disinfecting.
-bleach
-iodine
-heat (boiling)
List some effective agents used for decontamination.
-soaps
-detergents
-commercial dishwashers
List some effective agents used for antisepsis.
-alcohol
-surgical hand scrubs
Sterilization is generally reserved for _____________ objects.
Inanimate
*commun uses being surgical instruments, syringe, commercially packaged foods
Disinfectants are not typically used on human skin because...
Concentrations to be effective are harmful to our skin
What are some common uses for disinfectants?
