Test 1 Flashcards
Antiseptic
An agent that can be used as directed to reduce the microbial population found on skin
Disinfectant
An agent that will destroy many of the disease-causing microorganisms present on the surface of an inanimate object.
Germicide
An agent that kills certain types of microorganisms as per the label
Sanitizer
An agent that reduces microbial contamination on the surface of an object to an acceptable level
Sterilant
An agent that destroys all microbial organisms including heat-resistant spores.
Virucide
An agent that kills certain specified types of viruses
Sporocide
An agent that kills certain specified types of bacterial spores
Pathogen
A disease-causing agent
Alcohol
Many other disinfectants contain it.
Contact time can be as long as 20 minutes.
The higher the “proof” the better disinfectant.
Low cost.
Fumes.
Evaporates quickly.
Flammable.
Aldehydes
Formaldehyde & gluteraldehyde Cidex Excellent disinfectants Toxic Solutions last a long time
Chlorhexidine
Nolvasan (blue), hibiclens (pink)
Medium cost
Not corrosive
Very safe
Chlorine
Bleach Harsh and very caustic Toxic fumes Good deodorizer Loses it's effectiveness quickly while still on the shelf in the bottle Inexpensive Quickly inactivated by dirt DO NOT MIX CHLORINE W AMMONIA = TOXIC CHLORINE GAS
Iodine
Tincture: iodine + alcohol Lodophor: organic compounds that contain iodine Betadine Medium cost Long shelf life Works well in hot or old water Can stain brown Corrosive with prolonged contact
Oxidizing agents
Hydrogen peroxide Chlorine dioxide = oxyfresh Safe Deactivated by sunlight Damaging to tissues- don't use in wounds but great for cleaning off blood from clothes
Phenol
Coal/tar derivatives Lysol (has alcohol) One stroke environ:corrosive Toxic to cats, pigs, reptiles Non-corrosive Cause skin eye irritation
Quaternary ammonium
"Quats" Parvosol Ammonia+organic compound Often have detergent action Can be difficult to rinse (slimy residue) Toxic fumes DO NOT COMBINE AMMONIUM W BLEACH
Lye
Sodium hydroxide =NaOH
Causic soda
Excellent and cheap but very caustic
Wood tar distillates
Old pine-sol, pine oil Very safe Pleasant/strong fragrance Low cost Low toxicity Poor disinfectant overall Can be hard to rinse
Quicklime
CaO
Very caustic
Very dangerous to work with
Excellent disinfectant
Synthetic phenol
Synphenol Excellent disinfectant and safe More expensive but dilutes at 1:256 Stable in sunlight Works well in presence of organic material
Detergent
Disperses and removes soil and organic material (anionic detergents = soaps)
