Disinfectants, Antiseptics, and Sterilants (M3) Flashcards
What are chemical agents or physical procedures that inhibit or kill micro-organisms?
disinfectants
What are chemical or physical treatments that destroy most vegetative microbes or viruses?
disinfection
What are the examples of physical agents used for disinfection?
- ionizing radiation
- dry or moist heat
- superheated steam (autoclave)
What are disinfecting chemical agents with sufficiently low toxicity for host cells that they can be used directly on skin, mucous membranes or wounds?
antiseptics
What is application of an agent to living tissue for the purpose of preventing infection called?
antisepsis
What are things that kill both vegetative cells and spores when applied to materials for appropriate times and temperatures?
sterilants
What is the process intended to kill or remove all types of microorganisms, including spores, and usually viruses, with an acceptably low probability of survival?
sterilization
What is the destruction or marked reduction in number or activity of microorganisms?
decontamination
What is the process that kills nonsporulating microorganisms by hot water or steam at 65-100 degC?
pasteurization
What are the factors that go into evaluating the effectiveness of a disinfectant or sterilant?
- concentration and stability of disinfectant or sterilant
- time and temperature of exposure
- pH
- hydration
- binding of agent to surfaces
What substances does the EPA regulate? 1. FDA? 2
- disinfectants and sterilants
2. antiseptics
What are examples of sterilants?
- pressurized steam (autoclaving)
- ethylene oxide
- hydrogen peroxide
- peracetic acid
- ozone
- chlorine dioxde
- formaldehyde
- propylene oxide
What are examples of preservatives?
- benzoic acid
- parabens
- sorbic acid
- phenolic compounds
- quaternary ammonium compounds
- alcohols
- mercurial (thimerosal)
