Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is an essential aspect of intermediate-level disinfection?

1. It kills bacterial spores

2. It kills mycobacterium tuberculosis var bovis

3. It is the least effective method

4. Only fungi are affected

The correct answer is: It kills mycobacterium tuberculosis var bovis

Intermediate-level disinfection is crucial in healthcare settings as it provides a robust level of microbial control while being practical for certain environments. The correct answer highlights that this level of disinfection is effective specifically against mycobacterium tuberculosis var bovis, which is significant because mycobacteria are more resistant to disinfection than standard bacteria. Therefore, the ability to eliminate this pathogen indicates the effectiveness of intermediate-level disinfection in managing the risk of transmission of serious infections. While killing bacterial spores is typically associated with high-level disinfection, and fungi are affected, intermediate disinfection is not limited to just one category of organisms but has a broader spectrum that includes mycobacteria. Additionally, labeling intermediate-level disinfection as the least effective method is inaccurate; it is more effective than low-level disinfection. Hence, the focus on mycobacterium tuberculosis var bovis underscores the importance of this category of disinfection in ensuring safety and hygiene in clinical settings.