Chapter 11 Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Question 1

Alcohols.
Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 1

Antiseptic.
Pros: low cost, low toxicity on contact, bactericidal against gram positive and negative
Cons: Must remain in contact for 1-3 min. to be effective. Ineffective against spores.

Question 2

Halogens: chlorine compounds.
Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 2

Disinfectant
Pro: great for parvo cases
Cons: bleach/staining, corrosive, pungent odor, skin irritant, light sensitive. Needs to be left up to 10 min.

Question 3

Halogens: iodine compounds and iodophors
Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 3

Topical antiseptics
Pros: “cidal” for fungi, bacteria, viruses, and spores. Can be used in abscesses and lacerations.
Cons: can be inactivated by organic material. Not for use in body cavities.

Question 4

Biguanides. Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 4

Antiseptic
Pros: Lower tissue irritation. Bactericidal and fungicidal. Does better around organic material. residual activity of 24 hours, great for skin/wounds.
Cons: Not effective against nonenveloped viruses. Can not mix with other cleaners. Do not use for ear infections

Question 5

Aldehydes: glutaraldehyde. Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 5

Disinfectant
Pros: works well against bacteria, spores, viruses, fungi. Works on bacteria that have biofilms, not inactivated by organic material
Cons: temperature and pH sensitive.

Question 6

What are the cons of oxidizing compounds?

Answer 6

Not viricidal, but if left on living tissue can cause severe damage.

Question 7

Phenols. Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 7

Disinfectant
Pros: effective against gram positive bacteria, not as easily inactivated by organic material.
Cons: not effective against gram negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, more toxic to living tissue. Can cause liver failure if ingested.

Question 8

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds. Antiseptic or disinfectant?
Pros and cons

Answer 8

Disinfectant
Pros: germicidal, effective against gram-positive bacteria.
Cons: Not effective against spores, fungi, nonenveloped viruses, gram negative bacteria. Binds to organic matter making it ineffective.