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Questions and Answers
What is the optimal dilution of ethyl alcohol for effective microbial action?
What is the optimal dilution of ethyl alcohol for effective microbial action?
- 70% ethyl alcohol (correct)
- 50% ethyl alcohol
- 90% ethyl alcohol
- 100% ethyl alcohol
Which type of organisms are alcohols ineffective against?
Which type of organisms are alcohols ineffective against?
- Enveloped viruses
- Vegetative gram-positive bacteria
- Fungi
- Bacterial spores (correct)
What is one of the risks associated with prolonged use of alcohol on instruments?
What is one of the risks associated with prolonged use of alcohol on instruments?
- Increases visibility of the instrument
- Denatures proteins on the instruments
- Enhances microbial growth
- Causes corrosion to metal surfaces (correct)
What is the primary reason for the reduced effectiveness of alcohols in the presence of organic substances?
What is the primary reason for the reduced effectiveness of alcohols in the presence of organic substances?
What effect does alcohol have on skin upon extended contact?
What effect does alcohol have on skin upon extended contact?
What is one of the advantages of adding emollients like glycerin to alcohol solutions?
What is one of the advantages of adding emollients like glycerin to alcohol solutions?
Which factor limits the contact time of alcohol with the skin?
Which factor limits the contact time of alcohol with the skin?
What type of microorganisms does iodine primarily target with its germicidal activity?
What type of microorganisms does iodine primarily target with its germicidal activity?
What role do detergents, antiseptics, and disinfectants play in veterinary medicine?
What role do detergents, antiseptics, and disinfectants play in veterinary medicine?
What is the primary mechanism by which chlorhexidine kills bacteria?
What is the primary mechanism by which chlorhexidine kills bacteria?
What significant discovery did Ignaz Semmelweis make in the 1840s?
What significant discovery did Ignaz Semmelweis make in the 1840s?
Which of the following best differentiates antiseptics from disinfectants?
Which of the following best differentiates antiseptics from disinfectants?
Which property makes chlorhexidine solutions last longer than other antiseptics?
Which property makes chlorhexidine solutions last longer than other antiseptics?
Which bacteria is polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) specifically noted for being effective against?
Which bacteria is polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) specifically noted for being effective against?
What is one factor that can significantly reduce the quality of disinfection?
What is one factor that can significantly reduce the quality of disinfection?
What is the effective contact time required for formaldehyde to act as a bactericide, virucide, and fungicide?
What is the effective contact time required for formaldehyde to act as a bactericide, virucide, and fungicide?
What impact did Semmelweis's findings on hand washing have at the time?
What impact did Semmelweis's findings on hand washing have at the time?
Which of the following properties limits the use of formaldehyde as a disinfectant?
Which of the following properties limits the use of formaldehyde as a disinfectant?
What is the main function of cleaners in the context of disinfecting surfaces?
What is the main function of cleaners in the context of disinfecting surfaces?
What advantage does PHMB have as an antimicrobial agent in comparison to formaldehyde?
What advantage does PHMB have as an antimicrobial agent in comparison to formaldehyde?
Which statement about the acceptance of antiseptic procedures is true?
Which statement about the acceptance of antiseptic procedures is true?
Why should antiseptics and disinfectants not be used interchangeably?
Why should antiseptics and disinfectants not be used interchangeably?
What happens to chlorhexidine's effectiveness in hard water?
What happens to chlorhexidine's effectiveness in hard water?
Which of the following best describes the antimicrobial action of formaldehyde?
Which of the following best describes the antimicrobial action of formaldehyde?
Which disinfectant is effective against more than 580 infectious agents?
Which disinfectant is effective against more than 580 infectious agents?
What is a characteristic of cresols compared to traditional phenols?
What is a characteristic of cresols compared to traditional phenols?
Which bacteria is Triclosan particularly effective against?
Which bacteria is Triclosan particularly effective against?
Why are phenols not recommended for use in disinfecting critical items?
Why are phenols not recommended for use in disinfecting critical items?
Which of the following is true about sodium o-phenylphenol?
Which of the following is true about sodium o-phenylphenol?
How does iodine kill microorganisms?
How does iodine kill microorganisms?
What is the primary compound used in making iodine tincture?
What is the primary compound used in making iodine tincture?
Which of the following best describes iodophores compared to iodine tincture?
Which of the following best describes iodophores compared to iodine tincture?
For maximum effectiveness, what concentration of iodine solution is recommended?
For maximum effectiveness, what concentration of iodine solution is recommended?
What major complication can result from the systemic absorption of iodophors?
What major complication can result from the systemic absorption of iodophors?
What effect does increasing concentration have on iodine's effectiveness?
What effect does increasing concentration have on iodine's effectiveness?
What is the required contact time for iodophores to effectively release free iodine?
What is the required contact time for iodophores to effectively release free iodine?
Why is iodine no longer a popular antiseptic or disinfectant?
Why is iodine no longer a popular antiseptic or disinfectant?
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Study Notes
Importance of Antiseptics and Disinfectants
- Critical in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in veterinary medicine.
- Utilized from pre-operative area cleaning to post-outbreak disinfection.
- Ensure safe and effective germicidal action in clinical settings.
Antimicrobial Categories
- Antibacterial: Target bacteria.
- Antifungal: Address fungal infections.
- Antiviral: Combat viral pathogens.
- Antiprotozoal: Treat protozoal infestations.
- Antiparasitic: Control parasitic infections.
Historical Context of Antiseptics
- Ignaz Semmelweis demonstrated handwashing effectiveness in the 1840s.
- His methods significantly reduced the incidence of childbed fever.
- Despite initial resistance, hand hygiene gained acceptance following germ theory validation by Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister.
Definitions and Differences
- Cleaners: Physically remove debris, not necessarily germicidal.
- Antiseptics: Biocides for use on living tissues.
- Disinfectants: Biocides for use on inanimate objects.
Alcohols as Antiseptics
- Effective at 70% ethyl or 50% isopropyl concentrations; higher concentrations can lead to bacterial resistance.
- Active against most vegetative bacteria and enveloped viruses, ineffective against spores.
- Not recommended for high-level disinfection due to inability to inactivate spores.
Iodine and Chlorine as Halogens
- Both possess antimicrobial properties; iodine disrupts metabolic processes in microorganisms.
- Iodine solutions (1-2% in alcohol) effectively kill 90% of bacteria in 3 minutes.
- Iodine tinctures are irritating and less commonly used now due to adverse effects on healing.
Iodophores
- Aimed to reduce irritations from tinctures, allowing for a steady release of free iodine.
- Require a contact time of about 2 minutes for effective germicidal action.
- Effective against bacteria, viruses, but less effective for hard surface disinfection.
Chlorhexidine
- A cationic biguanide with long-lasting antibacterial activity, effective in the presence of organic material.
- Preferred for preoperative cleaning and wound care; available in solutions of varying concentrations.
Biguanides
- Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including MRSA.
- Non-corrosive, used for various infections and as a surface disinfectant.
Aldehydes
- Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde are potent disinfectants with a broad spectrum against various pathogens.
- Formaldehyde requires lengthy contact times (6-12 hours) and is known for irritant properties and potential carcinogenicity.
Phenols
- Historically used as antiseptics but now limited due to high toxicity.
- Effective against various pathogens, but residues can cause tissue irritation.
- Modern phenols like triclosan show high antibacterial activity, particularly against certain bacteria, although resistance is a concern.
Summary
- Effective use of antiseptics and disinfectants is essential in both human and veterinary medicine to control infections.
- Understanding their mechanisms, types, and historical context aids in proper application in clinical settings.
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