A3: Microbial Control Methods

Question 1

Microbicidal

Answer 1

Agent that kills all microbes (10% iodine solutions)

Question 2

Factors in Microbial Control

Answer 2

• Time agent is applied
• Temperature (high)
• Concentration (specific)
• Organisms (certain microbes resistant to various control methods)
• Surface Properties (may affect activity or may be damaged)
• Organic Matter (inactivate chemical or encapsulate pathogens)
• Method of Application (sprayed, swabbed, immersed)

Question 3

Microbial Control: Dry Heat

Answer 3

• Drying (removal of water from environment)

- Incineration (completely burnt to ash)

Question 4

Microbial Control: Moist Heat

Answer 4

• Hot water (76 degrees, pasteurization)
• Boiling water (100 degrees, spores and viruses can survive)
• Steam Under Pressure (121.5, autoclave)

Question 5

Microbial Control: Chemical

Answer 5

• Cold Sterilization (sterility not achieved, cold sterile tray)
• Gas Sterilization (ethylene oxide, expensive and hazardous)

Question 6

Microbial Control: Ultrasonic Vibration

Answer 6

Sound waves create mechanical vibrations in the water which pulls organic particles off instruments and coagulates proteins

Question 7

Surfactant

Answer 7

Agent in soaps that emulsifies fats and oils (foams when combined with mechanical scrubbing)

Question 8

Detergent

Answer 8

Synthetic soaps, either anionic, nonionic or cationic depending on surfactant agent used and its ionization in water

Question 9

Solution

Answer 9

Does not contain surfactant, suitable for open wounds since it does not foam (final betadine rinse solution used in surgery prep)

Question 10

Isopropyl Alcohol

Answer 10

<50% considered bacteriostatic
>50% bactericidal
Concentration: 70-90

Question 11

Formaldehyde

Answer 11

• gas sterilization (carcinogenic no longer used)
• tissue preservation at 10% concentration
• killed vaccines

Question 12

Glutaraldehyde

Answer 12

• cold sterilant (Cidex)

- must be rinsed before use or it will damage tissues