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Infection Control · single question

What demonstrates that a disinfectant qualifies as HIGH-level?

  1. Ability to kill lipophilic viruses
  2. Ability to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  3. Ability to kill vegetative bacteria
  4. Ability to remove visible soil
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Correct answer: B. Ability to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  • A. Incorrect. Lipophilic (enveloped) viruses such as HIV are among the EASIEST organisms to kill.
  • B. Correct. Mycobacteria have a waxy, lipid-rich cell wall that makes them highly resistant to chemical disinfection. Tuberculocidal activity is therefore the benchmark for high-level (and intermediate-level) disinfectant efficacy.
  • C. Incorrect. Killing vegetative bacteria is achieved by low-level disinfectants.
  • D. Incorrect. Soil removal is cleaning, a separate prerequisite step that must precede disinfection.

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