Another name for Cidex solution is:

Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Applied Microbiology & Infection control (E5)

Easy

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Cidex is a widely recognized trade name for solutions containing the active ingredient glutaraldehyde.
Glutaraldehyde is a powerful chemical agent classified as a high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant.
It is primarily used for disinfecting and sterilizing heat-sensitive medical and dental equipment that cannot be autoclaved, such as endoscopes and surgical instruments.
The solution requires activation by alkalinization and is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including spores.

Option B: Formaldehyde is a different type of aldehyde. While also used as a disinfectant (often as formalin), it is not the active ingredient in Cidex and has different properties, including higher volatility and being a potential carcinogen.
Option C: This is a general chemical term. 'Carbaldehyde' is used in formal chemical nomenclature to denote the -CHO group, but it is not the common or specific name for the active ingredient in Cidex.
Option D: Similar to carbaldehyde, 'carboxaldehyde' is a synonym for the aldehyde functional group. It is a general chemical classification, not the name of the specific compound used in Cidex.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain High-Level Disinfection and Chemical Sterilants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must ensure proper contact time, temperature, and concentration when using Cidex to achieve high-level disinfection and prevent the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Due to its toxic nature, staff handling glutaraldehyde solutions must use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area to avoid respiratory and skin irritation.
What if? If an instrument is only immersed for 5 minutes instead of the recommended 20 minutes for high-level disinfection, it may not be safe for patient use as vegetative bacteria might survive, increasing the risk of infection.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core subject of the question, which is the chemical name for 'Cidex solution'.
Recognize that this is a factual recall question testing knowledge of common sterilization and disinfection agents used in healthcare.
Recall or deduce that 'Cidex' is a brand name for a specific chemical disinfectant.
Evaluate the options. Glutaraldehyde is the well-known active ingredient in Cidex.
Eliminate the other options: Formaldehyde is a different, though related, disinfectant. Carbaldehyde and Carboxaldehyde are general chemical terms, making them less likely to be the specific answer for a branded product.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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