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Infection Control · single question

What is the mechanism of action of alcohol hand sanitizer?

  1. Kill skin bacteria by oxidation
  2. Formation of reactive oxygen species
  3. Chelation of bacterial cell wall calcium
  4. Denaturation of protein
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Correct answer: D. Denaturation of protein

  • A. Oxidation is the mechanism of hydrogen peroxide and bleach — not alcohol hand sanitizers.
  • B. Reactive oxygen species are generated by peroxide-based disinfectants — not alcohol.
  • C. Chelation is the mechanism of EDTA in breaking down gram-negative bacterial outer membranes — not alcohol hand sanitizers.
  • D. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (60-95% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) work by DENATURING MICROBIAL PROTEINS. Alcohol disrupts the hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions that maintain protein structure, causing the protein to unfold (denature) and lose its functional activity. This destroys cell membranes and critical enzymes of bacteria and viruses. Alcohol is effective against most bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does NOT kill spores.

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