Deck 44: Antiseptics and Disinfectants

Question 1

Select the true statement about the bactericidal properties of benzalkonium chloride.

A) It binds to a receptor on the ribosome and prevents lengthening of the protein chain.
B) It attacks the microorganism membrane at bactericidal concentrations and produces rapid cell leakage.
C) It binds to the bacterial DNA, alters its transcription, and causes lethal DNA damage to the bacterial cell.
D) None of these are correct.

Answer 1

It attacks the microorganism membrane at bactericidal concentrations and produces rapid cell leakage.

Question 2

Select the true statement about the mechanism of action of antiseptics and disinfectants.

A) They destroy microorganisms by altering the nucleic acid.
B) They can decrease the surface tension of bacterial cell walls causing the cells to swell and lyse.
C) They can disrupt the protein function of the cell.
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 2

All of these are correct.

Question 3

Which of the following terms is used to refer to a thick crust or scab that develops after skin has a traumatic wound or burn?

A) Eschar
B) Lyse
C) Argyria
D) None of these

Answer 3

Eschar

Question 4

Identify the appropriate information that must be given to a patient about the use of antiseptics and disinfectants.

A) Chlorhexidine can be used as an oral rinse, but it should not be ingested.
B) Antiseptics and disinfectants may contain ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, which are poisonous if they are ingested.
C) The aldehydes are never used as antiseptics because of the potential damage to human tissue at any concentration.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 5

Identify the most suitable instruction to be given to a patient suffering from an aphthous ulcer.

A) Rinse your mouth with an oral rinse that contains chlorhexidine.
B) Use dental products that have povidone-iodine.
C) Apply silver nitrate to the ulcer.
D) Irrigate the ulcer with Dakin's solution.

Question 6

_____ is defined as a permanent black discoloration of skin and mucous membranes caused by prolonged use of silver protein solutions.

A) Eschar
B) Lyse
C) Argyria
D) Botulism

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true of bactericidal and bacteriostatic antiseptics?

A) Bacteriostatic antiseptics can eradicate bacteria at low concentrations.
B) Bacteriostatic antiseptics inhibit the growth and reproduction of the bacteria but do not kill the bacteria.
C) All bacteriostatic antiseptics have high concentration.
D) All bacteriostatic antiseptics have broad-spectrum activity.

Question 8

Select the correct statement about peroxides.

A) Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an oral debriding agent.
B) As peroxide oxidizes, it releases oxygen that causes it to effervesce (bubble).
C) Hydrogen peroxide rapidly stops capillary bleeding when it is used to clean abrasions with slow blood oozing.
D) All of these are correct

Question 9

Select the true statement about the difference between antiseptics and disinfectants.

A) Antiseptics and disinfectants differ only in the chemical compounds present in their respective solutions.
B) Antiseptics and disinfectant solutions differ in their antimicrobial potency, spectrum of activity, and duration of action.
C) Antiseptics always have broad-spectrum activity, whereas disinfectants have narrow-spectrum activity.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 10

Which of the following is not used as an antiseptic because of the potential damage to human tissue?

A) Aldehydes
B) Phenols
C) Iodophors
D) Biguanides

Question 11

Explain the primary reason why antibiotics cannot always eradicate an organism.

A) Some organisms reproduce at a faster rate than the rate at which antibiotics are capable of destroying them.
B) Some bacteria do not need a source of energy.
C) Overuse of antibiotics has made some microorganisms resistant to the available antibiotic treatments.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 12

Identify the statement that is true of the development of nosocomial infections.

A) Urinary tract or intravenous therapy catheterizations contribute to the development of nosocomial infections.
B) Nosocomial infections occur with prolonged hospitalizations.
C) High-risk patients with decreased immunoresistance are susceptible to nosocomial infections.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 13

Identify the definition of the term sterilization.

A) It is the process that inhibits the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
B) It is the process that completely eradicates all microorganisms and spores.
C) It is the process that involves selectively eliminating microorganisms.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 14

Select the false statement about hexachlorophene.

A) Despite its selectivity, hexachlorophene is useful as a skin cleanser and surgical scrub because potential pathogens that reside on the skin surface are frequently gram-positive bacteria.
B) With repeated use, hexachlorophene accumulates in the skin and maintains its bacterial response.
C) Hexachlorophene is a bactericidal preparation that is primarily effective against gram-negative bacteria and provides relatively weak activity against gram-positive bacteria.
D) Hexachlorophene should not be used for bathing infants or applied to burns because it will be absorbed into the circulation.

Question 15

Identify the true statement about the mechanism of action of chlorhexidine.

A) Chlorhexidine is bactericidal in low concentrations (0.5 percent) and bacteriostatic at higher concentrations (2 to 4 percent).
B) Chlorhexidine is incorporated into the bacterial cell wall, which disrupts the membrane and reduces its permeability.
C) Chlorhexidine binds to the ribosomes and causes lethal damage to the bacterial cell.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 16

Identify the physiological effects that characterize hypersensitivity to antiseptics or disinfectants.

A) Rash, edema, or anaphylaxis
B) Development of eschars
C) Uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
D) None of these

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true of the cleaning techniques used to eliminate bacteria?

A) Glutaraldehyde solution is used to remove microorganisms on the skin prior to puncturing the vein to obtain blood.
B) An iodophor swab is used for a short swabbing procedure before obtaining blood for a routine blood test.
C) Alcohol or iodophor solutions should be used to disinfect surfaces before the use of soap or detergent if dirt or organic matter has accumulated on the surface.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 18

Identify the statement that is not true about the use of aldehydes as disinfectants.

A) Aldehydes are used to destroy microorganisms as they are incorporated into the bacterial cell well, which disrupts the membrane's permeability.
B) Glutaraldehyde is used for cold sterilization of equipment, medical devices, and surgical instruments.
C) Aldehydes are never used as an antiseptic because of the potential damage to human tissue at any concentration.
D) Formaldehyde is used for preparing tissue samples for lab evaluation.

Question 19

Select the statement that best explains the difference between heat and cold sterilization.

A) Heat sterilization is achieved by using high-pressure steam for hours in autoclaves, whereas cold sterilization is achieved by using disinfectants.
B) Heat sterilization is achieved by reaching very high temperatures, whereas cold sterilization is achieved by reaching temperatures below the freezing point.
C) Heat sterilization requires the use of ovens, whereas cold sterilization requires the use of autoclaves.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 20

Identify the true statement about antiseptics,disinfectants,and antibiotics.

A) Antibiotics are frequently targeted at a specific microorganism, whereas antiseptics and disinfectants are used to eliminate multiple organisms at a time.
B) Antiseptics and disinfectants are not intended for internal use, but antibiotics are expected to reach the bloodstream to be effective.
C) Antiseptics, disinfectants, and antibiotics eliminate microorganisms.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 21

Santiago consults a doctor as he feels a lump in his throat.His doctor informs him that he is suffering from goiter,which occurs due to hypothyroidism.The doctor observes scars on Santiago's arms and reviews his medical history.He finds that Santiago had recently received treatment for burns.Which of the following drugs is most likely to have been used to treat the patient's burns?

A) Silver sulfadiazine
B) Povidone-iodine
C) Hexachlorophene
D) Benzalkonium chloride

Question 22

Raheem is working as a medical assistant.He is required to sterilize prepackaged laboratory equipment.Which of the following chemicals should Raheem use?

A) Povidone-iodine
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Ethyl alcohol
D) Ethylene oxide

Question 23

Gomez is prescribed two topical antiseptics to treat a skin infection.The first antiseptic is benzalkonium chloride.He is told to wait for a few hours after applying the first antiseptic,wash the affected area,and then apply the second antiseptic.The second antiseptic is most likely to be _____.

A) povidone-iodine
B) chlorhexidine
C) hydrogen peroxide
D) silver sulfadiazine

Question 24

James is asked to disinfect an isolation ward.The patient who had previously occupied the ward suffered from tuberculosis.James is asked to wear rubber gloves and ensure that the disinfectant does not make contact with his eyes and mucous membranes.Which of the following chemicals is James using to disinfect the room?

A) Triclosan
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Ethyl alcohol
D) Povidone-iodine

Question 25

_____ is used to treat acne as it releases oxygen into the pores of the skin and destroys bacteria.

A) Povidone-iodine
B) Chlorhexidine
C) Benzoyl peroxide
D) Silver nitrate

Question 26

Benzalkonium chloride inactivates _____ when they are combined.

A) heavy metals
B) iodophors
C) phenols
D) aldehydes

Question 27

_____ is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multidose vials of some vaccines.

A) Silver sulfadiazine
B) Hexachlorophene
C) Triclosan
D) Thimerosal

Question 28

_____ produces hypertrophied papillae of the tongue on continued usage as a mouthwash.

A) Hexachlorophene
B) Chlorhexidine
C) Hydrogen peroxide
D) Triclosan

Question 29

Prolonged or frequent use of silver solutions will produce _____.

A) argyria
B) aphthous ulcers
C) decubitis ulcers
D) eschar

Question 30

_____ is useful as a skin cleanser despite its weak activity against gram-negative bacteria.

A) Povidone-iodine
B) Chlorhexidine
C) Hydrogen peroxide
D) Hexachlorophene

Question 31

Dr.O'Neill asks a member of his staff to bathe an infant with a dilute solution of an antiseptic.The doctor later observes that the infant is experiencing convulsions.Which of the following antiseptics is most likely to have been used to bathe the infant?

A) Chlorhexidine
B) Silver nitrate
C) Hexachlorophene
D) Benzalkonium chloride

Question 32

Dr.Schneider wants to obtain a sample of Laura's blood for a routine blood test.He uses an antiseptic swab to clean the skin before using a hypodermic syringe.After he obtains a sample,Dr.Schneider asks Laura to hold some cotton on the site of the injection.He explains that the antiseptic used increases bleeding.Which of the following chemicals is most likely to be part of the antiseptic solution?

A) Chlorhexidine
B) Sodium hypochlorite
C) Isopropyl alcohol
D) Povidone-iodine

Question 33

Chlorhexidine is used:

A) to treat second- and third-degree burns.
B) to fumigate operating rooms.
C) as an ophthalmic irrigant.
D) as a mouthwash for aphthous ulcers.

Question 34

_____ is commonly used as an ophthalmic antiseptic in newborns.

A) Silver sulfadiazine
B) Hydrogen peroxide
C) Benzoyl peroxide
D) Silver nitrate

Question 35

Dr.Omar prescribes an oral rinse to a patient whose gums are inflamed and have started bleeding.Dr.Omar asks the patient to use the prescribed oral rinse only after one hour of using any other dental products.Which of the following drugs is the prescribed oral rinse most likely to contain?

A) Chlorhexidine
B) Sodium oxychlorosene
C) Hydrogen peroxide
D) Benzalkonium chloride