Sterilization & disinfection of blood spills is done by:
The core concept here is understanding the appropriate agents for disinfecting blood spills to prevent transmission of pathogens like HIV, HBV, HCV. The question is testing knowledge of infection control practices.
The correct answer is likely sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at a concentration of 1:10 or 1:100, which is a standard recommendation. So, if the options included bleach or sodium hypochlorite, that's the right one. The other options might include things like alcohol, which isn't effective against non-enveloped viruses, or peracetic acid, which is used but maybe not as common for blood spills.
Wrong options could be things like isopropyl alcohol (70%), which is good for skin antisepsis but not for disinfecting blood spills. Or maybe Lysol, which is a disinfectant but not specifically recommended for blood. Another wrong option might be autoclaving, which is for sterilization but not practical for spills.
Clinical pearl: Always use a 1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution for blood spills, and wear PPE. Avoid using alcohol-based products for this purpose. Also, ensure the spill is covered with a disinfectant for at least 10-15 minutes before cleaning.
**Core Concept**
Sterilization and disinfection of blood spills aim to eliminate pathogens (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV) using agents that effectively inactivate blood-borne viruses. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is the gold standard due to its broad-spectrum virucidal activity.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Sodium hypochlorite (1:10 dilution) is recommended by CDC and WHO for blood spill decontamination. It denatures proteins and disrupts viral envelopes, rendering pathogens non-infectious. A 10β15 minute contact time ensures efficacy against non-enveloped viruses like HBV.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** 70% isopropyl alcohol lacks sufficient potency against non-enveloped viruses.
**Option B:** Autoclaving is impractical for spills and damages surfaces.
**Option C:** Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is less effective against blood-borne viruses compared to bleach.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Use a 1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution (5,000 ppm available chlorine) for blood spills. Never reuse personal protective equipment (PPE) during cleanup to prevent cross-contamination.
**Correct Answer: B. 1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution**