ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS Flashcards
Which of the following is a fixative in electron microscopy?
A. Formaldehyde
B. Methanol
C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Acetone
C. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a fixative in electron microscopy due to its ability to cross-link proteins and preserve the structural integrity of biological specimens.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of:
A. Methanol
B. Acetone
C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Formaldehyde
D. Formaldehyde
Rationale: Formalin is the aqueous solution of formaldehyde with methanol added to prevent polymerization.
Which aldehyde is more active at an alkaline pH?
A. Formaldehyde
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above
B. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is more active at an alkaline pH, resulting in more rapid bactericidal effects.
What is the chemical formula of methanal?
A. CH2O
B. C2H4O2
C. CH4O
D. C2H2O2
A. CH2O
Rationale: Methanal, another name for formaldehyde, has the chemical formula CH2O.
Formaldehyde’s action as a sporicidal agent is due to its ability to:
A. Prevent germination
B. Penetrate into bacterial spores
C. Cross-link proteins
D. Increase pH
B. Penetrate into bacterial spores
Rationale: Formaldehyde can penetrate deep into bacterial spores, leading to its sporicidal properties.
Which agent is slower in action as a bactericidal, sporicidal, and virucidal compared to glutaraldehyde?
A. Methanol
B. Acetone
C. Formaldehyde
D. Ethanol
C. Formaldehyde
Rationale: While both formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde have similar properties, formaldehyde is slower in action compared to glutaraldehyde.
In which concentration range is the formaldehyde solution (Formalin) typically found?
A. 10 - 20%
B. 25 - 30%
C. 34 - 38%
D. 40 - 45%
C. 34 - 38%
Rationale: Formalin typically contains 34-38% (wt/wt) CH2O with methanol to prevent polymerization.
The loss of infectivity in viruses when exposed to glutaraldehyde is believed to be associated with changes in the:
A. Genetic material
B. Capsid
C. Enzymatic activity
D. Lipid bilayer
B. Capsid
Rationale: It has been inferred that glutaraldehyde-induced loss of infectivity is associated with capsid changes in viruses.
Which of the following is considered a mutagenic agent?
A. Glutaraldehyde
B. Formaldehyde
C. Methanol
D. Acetone
B. Formaldehyde
Rationale: Formaldehyde is proposed as a mutagenic agent, indicating its potential to cause mutations in DNA.
Which aldehyde interacts with lysine residues on the surface of hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
A. Formaldehyde
B. Acetaldehyde
C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Methanal
C. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde interacts with lysine residues on the surface of hepatitis A virus (HAV).
For the disinfection of surgical equipment, which agent is preferred?
A. Ethanol
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. Acetone
D. Methanol
B. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is commonly used for the sterilization of endoscopes and surgical equipment due to its effective disinfectant properties.
What is the primary target of glutaraldehyde in fungi?
A. Cell nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Mitochondria
D. Cell wall
D. Cell wall
Rationale: For fungi, the primary target site for glutaraldehyde appears to be the fungal cell wall.
Which disinfectant is often used in operating rooms?
A. Dettol
B. Lysol
C. Cidex
D. Hydrogen Peroxide
C. Cidex
Rationale: Cidex, which contains glutaraldehyde, is frequently used as a disinfectant in operating rooms.
Formaldehyde is an alkylating agent that can react with all the following groups EXCEPT:
A. Carboxyl
B. Sulfhydryl
C. Hydroxyl
D. Phosphate
D. Phosphate
Rationale: Formaldehyde acts as an alkylating agent, reacting with carboxyl, sulfhydryl, and hydroxyl groups, but not with phosphate groups.
Glutaraldehyde’s mechanism of action on mycobacteria is:
A. Well-understood and defined
B. Likely involves the cell wall
C. Based on pH level interactions
D. Related to its volatility
B. Likely involves the cell wall
Rationale: The action of glutaraldehyde on mycobacteria is not clearly defined, but it’s believed to involve interactions with the mycobacterial cell wall.
Which agent is used for the preservation of cadavers?
A. Methanol
B. Acetone
C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Formaldehyde
D. Formaldehyde
Rationale: Formaldehyde is commonly used for the preservation of cadavers due to its fixative properties.
In which pH range is glutaraldehyde more active?
A. Acidic
B. Neutral
C. Alkaline
D. None of the above
C. Alkaline
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is more active at an alkaline pH.
Which agent should not be combined with an acid?
A. Ethanol
B. Formaldehyde
C. Glutaraldehyde
D. Acetone
C. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde should not be used together with an acid due to its activity being optimized at alkaline pH.
Which compound forms protein-DNA cross-links in SV40 and inhibits DNA synthesis?
A. Methanol
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. Formaldehyde
D. Ethanol
C. Formaldehyde
Rationale: Formaldehyde is known to form protein-DNA cross-links in SV40, which in turn inhibits DNA synthesis.
Glutaraldehyde’s action against bacterial spores at low concentrations is to:
A. Kill them instantly
B. Enhance their germination
C. Inhibit their germination
D. Cause mutation
C. Inhibit their germination
Rationale: At low concentrations, glutaraldehyde inhibits the germination of bacterial spores.
Which of the following aldehydes is known to reduce the activity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)?
A. Formaldehyde
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. Acetaldehyde
D. Methanal
B. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde has the property of reducing the activity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg).
Which of the following is NOT an action of glutaraldehyde on non-sporulating bacteria?
A. Cross-linking amino groups in protein
B. Enhancing transport processes into the cell
C. Strong association with outer layers
D. Inhibition of transport processes into cell
B. Enhancing transport processes into the cell
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde inhibits transport processes into the cell rather than enhancing them.
Which aldehyde is used in the manufacture of resins and textiles due to its polymerization properties?
A. Glutaraldehyde
B. Acetaldehyde
C. Formaldehyde
D. Propionaldehyde
C. Formaldehyde
Rationale: Formaldehyde is used in the production of resins and textiles because of its ability to undergo polymerization.
For the disinfection at low temperatures, which agent is preferred?
A. Ethanol
B. Acetone
C. Formaldehyde
D. Glutaraldehyde
D. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Glutaraldehyde is particularly used for low temperature disinfection.
Which statement is TRUE regarding the action of glutaraldehyde on protozoa?
A. The mechanism of action is well-defined
B. It acts primarily on the protozoan nucleus
C. It enhances the germination of protozoa
D. The mechanism of action is unknown
D. The mechanism of action is unknown
Rationale: The exact mechanism by which glutaraldehyde affects protozoa is not clearly understood.
- Which of the following is the primary action mechanism of Triclocarban (TCC) against bacteria?
A. DNA replication inhibition
B. Protein synthesis disruption
C. Cell wall synthesis inhibition
D. Destruction of the semipermeable character of the cytoplasmic membrane
D. Destruction of the semipermeable character of the cytoplasmic membrane
Rationale: TCC acts by adsorbing to and destroying the semipermeable character of the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to bacterial cell death.
- Triclocarban (TCC) is most effective against which type of bacteria?
A. Gram-positive bacteria
B. Gram-negative bacteria
C. Both gram-positive and gram-negative equally
D. Neither, it’s an antifungal
A. Gram-positive bacteria
Rationale: TCC is particularly active against gram-positive bacteria and less so against gram-negative bacteria.
- Triclocarban (TCC) is commonly found in which consumer product?
A. Painkillers
B. Sunscreens
C. Soaps and deodorants
D. Toothpaste
C. Soaps and deodorants
Rationale: TCC is extensively used in consumer soaps and deodorants due to its antimicrobial properties.
- The outer barrier of a bacterial cell, which TCC targets, is known as:
A. Endoplasmic reticulum
B. Mitochondrial membrane
C. Cytoplasmic membrane
D. Nucleus
C. Cytoplasmic membrane
Rationale: TCC targets the cytoplasmic membrane, disrupting its semipermeable nature and leading to bacterial cell death.
- Which bacteria possess an additional outer membrane making them more resistant to certain antimicrobials?
A. Gram-positive bacteria
B. Gram-negative bacteria
C. Mycobacteria
D. Spirochetes
B. Gram-negative bacteria
Rationale: Gram-negative bacteria have an extra outer membrane that can act as a barrier to many antimicrobial agents.
- Prolonged use of antimicrobial agents like TCC can lead to:
A. Enhanced skin moisturization
B. Resistance in bacteria
C. Vitamin synthesis
D. Decreased microbial diversity
B. Resistance in bacteria
Rationale: Overuse of antimicrobial agents can lead to the development of resistant bacterial strains.
- What property does Triclocarban (TCC) lack for the skin?
A. Moisturizing effect
B. Appreciable substantivity (persistency)
C. UV protection
D. Cooling effect
B. Appreciable substantivity (persistency)
Rationale: TCC does not have a long-lasting or persistent effect on the skin.
- How does Triclocarban (TCC) induce cell death?
A. By increasing the pH of the cytoplasmic membrane
B. By depriving the cell of nutrients
C. By adsorbing to and destroying the semi-permeable character of the cytoplasmic membrane
D. By inducing DNA damage in the cell
C. By adsorbing to and destroying the semi-permeable character of the cytoplasmic membrane
Rationale: TCC’s mechanism of action involves adsorbing to the cytoplasmic membrane and compromising its semi-permeable nature, leading to cell death.
- Which of the following products is NOT typically associated with the use of Triclocarban (TCC) ?
A. Shampoos
B. Hand sanitizers
C. Sunscreens
D. Deodorants
C. Sunscreens
Rationale: The content provided does not mention sunscreens in relation to TCC, while it does refer to soaps and deodorants, and by extension, products like shampoos and hand sanitizers could potentially contain TCC.
- Which biocide is most widely used in antiseptic products?
a) Alexidine
b) Chlorhexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
b) Chlorhexidine
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is mentioned as the most widely used biocide in antiseptic products.
- Chlorhexidine is not effective against which of the following?
a) Spores
b) Lipid-enveloped viruses
c) Non-enveloped viruses
d) Mycobacteria
a) Spores
Rationale: It’s specified that Chlorhexidine is not sporicidal.
- What makes Alexidine chemically distinct from Chlorhexidine?
a) Ethylhexyl end groups
b) Lipid envelopes
c) Polymeric structures
d) Presence of chlorine
a) Ethylhexyl end groups
Rationale: Alexidine differs from Chlorhexidine due to its ethylhexyl terminal groups.
- Which of the following is used as a contact lens cleanser?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
b) Alexidine
Rationale: Alexidine is noted for its use in contact lens cleansing.
- High concentrations of bisbiguanide affect Bacillus spores at…?
a) Ambient temperatures
b) Low temperatures
c) Elevated temperatures
d) Freezing temperatures
c) Elevated temperatures
Rationale: Bisbiguanide has a marked sporicidal effect on Bacillus spores at elevated temperatures.
- What is the activity of Chlorhexidine against mycobacteria?
a) Mycobacteriostatic
b) Mycobactericidal
c) Mycobacteria-enhancing
d) None of the above
a) Mycobacteriostatic
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is mycobacteriostatic, meaning it inhibits their growth but doesn’t kill them.
- Which disinfectant is commonly used in swimming pools?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
c) Polymeric Biguanides
Rationale: Polymeric Biguanides are noted for their use in swimming pool sanitation.
- Which agent has a mechanism causing protoplast and spheroplast lysis in non-sporulating bacteria?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
a) Chlorhexidine
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is a membrane-active agent that causes protoplast and spheroplast lysis in non-sporulating bacteria.
- Chlorhexidine’s antiviral activity is primarily active against which viruses?
a) Non-enveloped viruses
b) DNA viruses
c) RNA viruses
d) Lipid-enveloped viruses
d) Lipid-enveloped viruses
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is mainly active against lipid-enveloped viruses.
- Which of the following is not a use of Chlorhexidine?
a) Handwashing
b) Contact lens cleanser
c) Oral products
d) Disinfectant
b) Contact lens cleanser
Rationale: Alexidine, not Chlorhexidine, is used as a contact lens cleanser.
- Which agent causes intracellular coagulation in yeast?
a) Chlorhexidine at low concentrations
b) Chlorhexidine at high concentrations
c) Alexidine
d) Vantocil
b) Chlorhexidine at high concentrations
Rationale: At high concentrations, Chlorhexidine causes intracellular coagulation in yeast.
- What is Vantocil a mixture of?
a) Polyhexamethylene biguanides (PHMB)
b) Chlorhexidine derivatives
c) Alexidine components
d) Bisbiguanide mixtures
a) Polyhexamethylene biguanides (PHMB)
Rationale: Vantocil is a mixture of polyhexamethylene biguanides (PHMB).
- What is the effect of Chlorhexidine on bacterial spores?
a) Sporicidal
b) Prevents spore development
c) Enhances spore growth
d) Both a and b
b) Prevents spore development
Rationale: Chlorhexidine inhibits spore development but doesn’t kill them (not sporicidal).
- Which biocide is pH dependent and loses efficacy in the presence of organic matter?
a) Alexidine
b) Chlorhexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
b) Chlorhexidine
Rationale: Chlorhexidine’s activity is pH-dependent and is greatly reduced in the presence of organic matter.
- Which of the following is not inactivated by Chlorhexidine?
a) Rotavirus
b) HAV
c) Lipid-enveloped viruses
d) Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage F116
c) Lipid-enveloped viruses
Rationale: Chlorhexidine does not inactivate non-enveloped viruses like rotavirus and HAV, but is active against lipid-enveloped viruses.
- What does a mycobacteriostatic agent do?
a) Kills mycobacteria
b) Enhances the growth of mycobacteria
c) Inhibits the growth of mycobacteria
d) None of the above
c) Inhibits the growth of mycobacteria
Rationale: A mycobacteriostatic agent inhibits the growth of mycobacteria without necessarily killing them.
- Which of the following agents causes protoplast rupture and cellular leakage in yeast?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
a) Chlorhexidine
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is a membrane-active agent that causes protoplast rupture and cellular leakage in yeast.
- Chlorhexidine displays a variable activity against which microorganisms?
a) Bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Viruses
d) Protozoa
c) Viruses
Rationale: Chlorhexidine’s antiviral activity is described as variable.
- Which disinfectant is used in the food industry?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
c) Polymeric Biguanides
Rationale: Polymeric Biguanides are used as disinfectants in the food industry.
- Which agent has a fast bactericidal action?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
b) Alexidine
Rationale: Alexidine is described as having faster bactericidal activity.
- At what stage does Chlorhexidine inhibit bacterial spores?
a) Germination
b) Development
c) Maturation
d) Dissemination
b) Development
Rationale: Chlorhexidine prevents the development of spores but doesn’t inhibit germination.
- Which among the following biocides is used in hospital disinfection?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
d) Vantocil
Rationale: Vantocil, which is a mixture of PHMB, is used in hospitals as a disinfectant.
- What is the primary effect of Chlorhexidine on lipid-enveloped viruses?
a) Enhances viral activity
b) Inactivates the viruses
c) No significant effect
d) Unknown
b) Inactivates the viruses
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is mainly active against lipid-enveloped viruses, implying it inactivates them.
- Which of the following biocides exhibits a membrane-active mechanism on a wide range of microorganisms?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides
d) Vantocil
a) Chlorhexidine
Rationale: Chlorhexidine is described as a membrane-active agent for several microorganisms, including non-sporulating bacteria and yeast.
- In its interaction with E. coli, which disinfectant showcases a specific adsorption to phosphate-containing compounds?
a) Chlorhexidine
b) Alexidine
c) Polymeric Biguanides (PHMB)
d) Vantocil
c) Polymeric Biguanides (PHMB)
Rationale: The sequence of events for PHMB interaction with E. coli includes strong and specific adsorption to phosphate-containing compounds.
- Which of the following is widely used for hard surface disinfection?
A)N-chloro compounds
B) Sodium dichloroisocyanurate
C) Sodium hypochlorite
D) Chloramine - T
C) Sodium hypochlorite
Rationale: Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used for hard surface disinfection and is a primary component in household bleach.
- Which halogen-releasing agent is effective against spillages containing HIV or HBV?
A) Chloramine - T
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Chlorine dioxide
D) Iodine
B) Sodium hypochlorite
Rationale: Sodium hypochlorite is effective in disinfecting spills that may contain viruses like HIV or HBV.
- What type of agent is sodium dichloroisocyanurate?
A) Iodophor
B) N-chloro compound
C) Tincture
D) Oxidizing agent
B) N-chloro compound
Rationale: Sodium dichloroisocyanurate is an N-chloro compound.
- How do chlorine-releasing agents destroy microbes?
A) Decrease cellular pH
B) Disrupt cellular DNA
C) Oxidize cellular proteins
D) Dehydrate the cell
C) Oxidize cellular proteins
Rationale: Chlorine-releasing agents are strong oxidizing agents that target and destroy the cellular activities of proteins.
- Which halogen-releasing agent has been used as an antiseptic for over 150 years?
A) Iodophor
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Iodine
D) Chloramine - T
C) Iodine
Rationale: Both aqueous and alcoholic solutions (tinctures) of iodine have a long-standing history of use as antiseptics.
- What is the primary disadvantage of using aqueous solutions of iodine?
A) They are highly reactive.
B) They are unstable.
C) They are not effective against fungi.
D) They can bleach surfaces.
B) They are unstable.
Rationale: Aqueous solutions of iodine are generally unstable.
- Which amino acids does iodine specifically react with?
A) Lysine and arginine
B) Alanine and glycine
C) Cysteine and methionine
D) Proline and serine
C) Cysteine and methionine
Rationale: Iodine particularly reacts with free-sulfur amino acids, namely cysteine and methionine.
- Which of the following is NOT a chlorine-releasing agent?
A) Sodium dichloroisocyanurate
B) Chloramine - T
C) Povidone-iodine
D) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Povidone-iodine
Rationale: Povidone-iodine is an iodophor, not a chlorine-releasing agent.
- Iodophors are developed as iodine carriers to overcome which problem of iodine?
A) Inefficiency
B) Irritation and staining
C) High cost
D) Limited availability
B) Irritation and staining
Rationale: Iodophors were designed to address issues like irritation and staining associated with direct iodine use.
- Which of the following is a primary mechanism of iodine against viruses?
A) Disrupts DNA replication
B) Disrupts surface proteins
C) Oxidizes the cell
D) Increases cellular pH
B) Disrupts surface proteins
Rationale: For enveloped viruses, iodine likely affects surface proteins, though it can also interfere with unsaturated bonds in membrane fatty acids.
- Chlorine dioxide is a type of:
A) Iodophor
B) Oxidizing agent
C) Tincture
D) N-chloro compound
B) Oxidizing agent
Rationale: Chlorine dioxide is a chlorine-releasing agent, which are typically oxidizing agents.
- Iodine attacks which part of the viruses?
A) The DNA core
B) The RNA core
C) The lipid bilayer
D) The surface proteins
D) The surface proteins
Rationale: Iodine likely disrupts the surface proteins of enveloped viruses.
- Which of the following is considered less active against certain fungi and spores compared to tinctures?
A) Chlorine dioxide
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Povidone-iodine
D) Chloramine - T
C) Povidone-iodine
Rationale: While iodophors retain the germicidal activity of iodine, they are considered slightly less effective against specific fungi and spores compared to tinctures.
- Which halogen-releasing agent can cause irritation and excessive staining?
A) Sodium dichloroisocyanurate
B) Chloramine - T
C) Iodine
D) Chlorine dioxide
C) Iodine
Rationale: Iodine is associated with irritation and excessive staining.
- The problems associated with iodine were resolved with the introduction of:
A) Tinctures
B) Chlorine dioxide
C) Iodophors
D) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Iodophors
Rationale: Iodophors, like povidone-iodine, were developed to address the limitations of direct iodine use.
- Which of the following is NOT a property of iodine?
A) Bactericidal
B) Oxidizing
C) Virucidal
D) Fungicidal
B) Oxidizing
Rationale: Iodine possesses :
-bactericidal,
-fungicidal,
-tuberculocidal,
-virucidal,
-sporicidal
properties but is not primarily described as an oxidizing agent in this context.
- What happens to bacterial spores during treatment with chlorine-releasing agents at higher concentrations?
A) The spores increase in size.
B) The spores multiply.
C) The spores lose refractivity and undergo lysis.
D) The spores form a protective layer.
C) The spores lose refractivity and undergo lysis.
Rationale: At elevated concentrations of chlorine-releasing agents, bacterial spores lose refractivity, their coats separate from the cortex, and they undergo lysis.