Chapter 9 Terminology

Question 1

Bactericidal

Answer 1

A substance that kills bacteria.

Question 2

Disinfectant

Answer 2

A chemical that kills most pathogenic organisms but does not kill all spores.

Question 3

Disinfection

Answer 3

The destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms on an inanimate (non-living) surface.

Question 4

Spaulding Classification System

Answer 4

A system developed by Dr. E H. Spaulding that divides medical devices into categories based on the risk of infection involved with their use.

Question 5

Sterile/sterilization

Answer 5

Completely devoid of all living microorganisms.

Question 6

High-level Disinfection (HLD)

Answer 6

The destruction of all vegetative microorganisms, but not bacterial spores.

Question 7

Low-level Disinfection

Answer 7

The destruction of some vegetative forms of bacteria.

Question 8

Intermediate-level Disinfection

Answer 8

The destruction of viruses, mycobacterial, fungi and vegetative bacteria (but not bacterial spores).

Question 9

Organic Materials

Answer 9

Compounds containing oxygen, carbon and hydrogen; derived from living organisms. Organic matter in the form of serum, blood, pus, or fecal material can interfere with the activity of disinfectants.

Question 10

Activated (activation)

Answer 10

Process by which a solution is combined with an activating chemical before use. Glutaraldehyde, for example, must be mixed with an activating solution before use.

Question 11

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC)

Answer 11

The percentage concentration of the active ingredient in a disinfectant or chemical sterilant that is the minimum concentration at which the chemical meets all its label claims for activity against specific microorganisms.