Fumigation of laboratory is done to kill?

Appeared in: HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Fumigation is a process of disinfection or sterilization that uses gaseous chemicals to eliminate microorganisms in an enclosed space.
It has a broad spectrum of activity, meaning it is effective against a wide range of microbes.
This includes being bactericidal (killing bacteria), virucidal (inactivating viruses), and fungicidal (killing fungi).
Therefore, fumigation is performed to kill all these types of microorganisms to ensure a sterile environment.

Option A: This answer is incomplete. While fumigation does kill bacteria, its purpose is to eliminate a broader range of microorganisms.
Option B: This is a partial answer. Fumigation is also effective against bacteria and fungi, not just viruses.
Option C: This answer is too narrow. Fumigation's effectiveness extends to bacteria and viruses as well.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Microbicidal Spectrum of Fumigation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Fumigation is a critical infection control measure in healthcare settings like operation theaters, intensive care units (ICUs), and microbiology labs to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Nurses must be aware of safety protocols, such as ensuring the area is properly sealed before fumigation and well-ventilated afterward, to prevent toxic exposure to staff and patients.
While effective, the use of formaldehyde fumigation is becoming less common due to its toxicity, with newer technologies like vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) being preferred.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Fumigation'.
Recall the definition and purpose of fumigation in a healthcare or laboratory context. It is a method for sterilization or high-level disinfection of an entire room or enclosed space.
Understand that sterilization aims to kill all forms of microbial life.
Evaluate the options provided: 'Bacteria', 'Virus', and 'Fungus' are all major categories of microorganisms.
Since fumigation is a comprehensive disinfection method, it must be effective against all these types of microbes.
Therefore, the most complete and accurate answer is 'All Of The Above'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Microbiology OneStop Sastry p. 50-52

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