Sterilization and Disinfection

Question 1

Sanitation

Answer 1

the process that reduces the number of microorganisms on inanimate objects to a
safe level as judged by public health standards.

Question 2

Antiseptics

Answer 2

chemical agents applied to the skin that kill pathogens and reduces the number of
normal flora organisms.

Question 3

Disinfectants

Answer 3

chemical agents used on inanimate objects that at the very least destroy
pathogenic microorganisms.

Question 4

Sterility

Answer 4

freedom from all viable forms of microorganisms. It is an absolute state. There are no
degrees of sterility.

Question 5

Cide, Cidal

Answer 5

to kill, to make nonviable

Question 6

Stasis, Static

Answer 6

to prevent multiplication without necessarily killing the agent

Question 7

Sepsis

Answer 7

a toxic condition resulting from the presence of microbes or microbial products (toxins)
in the body

Question 8

Asepsis

Answer 8

a condition free of viable microorganisms

Question 9

Nosocomial Infection

Answer 9

infection acquired during a hospital stay or from other health care provider

Question 10

Bacterial endospores

Answer 10

are among the most resistant forms of life. Some spores can withstand more than 20 hours in boiling water. The endospores of the genus Bacillus fall into this category. Some Bacillus species are capable of living and growing in hot springs like found in Yellowstone National Park.

Question 11

Mycobacteria

Answer 11

are rather resistant to aqueous disinfectants because of their waxy cell surface (hydrophobic) repels aqueous solutions. Mycobacteria have about the same susceptibility to heat as other vegetative bacteria.

Question 12

Blood-borne viruses

Answer 12

(hepatitis, for example) are a problem agents because of the inapplicability of sterilizing measures to the situations in which transmission most frequently occurs - primarily through blood.

Question 13

Environmental Organisms

Answer 13

particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter
species are problems because they can be found in many locations; cleaning solutions, burn patients, immunosuppressed, leukemics, food, medications, respiratory apparatus, patient
monitoring equipment, waste traps of sinks, drinking fountains, hot tubs and in some
antiseptic solutions. They are often resistant to chemical disenfectants.