Other name of Cidex?

NORCET 1 - 2020

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

Cidex is the most widely recognized commercial brand name for solutions containing glutaraldehyde.
Glutaraldehyde is classified as a high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant, essential for processing heat-sensitive medical instruments.
It possesses a broad spectrum of activity, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores when used according to manufacturer's instructions for contact time and concentration.

Option A: Ammonium chloride is not a high-level disinfectant. Its primary medical uses are as a systemic acidifier or as an expectorant in cough medicine.
Option B: Although formaldehyde is also an aldehyde with strong disinfectant properties, it is a different chemical compound from glutaraldehyde and is not the active ingredient in Cidex. Formaldehyde is generally more toxic and irritating.
Option C: Isopropyl chloride is a chemical solvent and is not used as a medical disinfectant due to its flammability and lack of suitable antimicrobial properties.

Visual 1: Image - A bottle of Cidex solution, clearly showing the label which indicates 'Glutaraldehyde' as the active ingredient. This directly links the brand name to the chemical name.
Visual 2: Chart - A comparison chart of different levels of disinfection (low, intermediate, high) with examples of chemicals used for each level, highlighting glutaraldehyde in the high-level category.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Chemical Disinfectants and Sterilants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must know the correct disinfectant for specific medical instruments to prevent equipment damage and, more importantly, to ensure sterility and prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Proper handling and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, and eye protection, are mandatory when working with glutaraldehyde (Cidex) due to its potential to cause severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.
What if? If an instrument was not heat-sensitive (e.g., stainless steel surgical scissors), the preferred method of sterilization would be autoclaving (steam under pressure), as it is faster, more reliable, and avoids the toxicity associated with chemical sterilants.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of common trade names for chemicals used in healthcare.
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Cidex'.
Next, access your memory bank for pharmacology and infection control to recall the chemical name associated with this brand.
Systematically evaluate each option. Eliminate choices that are clearly incorrect or used for entirely different purposes (e.g., expectorants, solvents).
Select the option that correctly identifies the active chemical ingredient of Cidex.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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