Question

which of the following is appropriate for cleaning surfaces in the exam room?

multiple choice

hydrogen peroxide

lodine

germicidal soap

alcohol

10% solution of household bleach

Explanation:

Identify the clinical requirements for environmental surfaces

Using the Infection Control Protocols and Sanitization vs Disinfection knowledge points

• Environmental surfaces in an examination room (such as exam tables, countertops, and sinks) are classified as non-critical items under the Spaulding classification system.
• These surfaces require low- to intermediate-level disinfection to eliminate potential pathogens, including bloodborne pathogens like HIV and HBV.

Evaluate the suitability of each option

• Hydrogen peroxide / Iodine / Alcohol: While these are antiseptics used on skin or can be used as disinfectants in specific concentrations, they are not the standard, universally recommended agents for general environmental surface disinfection in clinical exam rooms due to rapid evaporation (alcohol) or tissue-targeting properties (iodine).
• Germicidal soap: Soap is primarily used for sanitization (physical removal of soil and some microbes) rather than disinfection of hard environmental surfaces.
• 10% solution of household bleach: A 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in water is the standard, highly effective disinfectant recommended by the CDC and OSHA for cleaning environmental surfaces and decontaminating blood or body fluid spills in clinical settings.

Answer:

• hydrogen peroxide
• iodine
• germicidal soap
• alcohol
• 10% solution of household bleach (Correct answer)