Which of the following disinfectants is recommended for cleaning clothes soiled with blood from an HIV-positi… - KGMU 2023

KGMU 2023

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Hard

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

Sodium hypochlorite is a halogen-based disinfectant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including being a potent virucide effective against HIV.
Unlike many other disinfectants, its efficacy is maintained in the presence of organic matter, which is critical when cleaning items soiled with blood.
It is the standard recommendation in healthcare settings for managing blood spills and decontaminating items to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
It is inexpensive, fast-acting, and effectively removes fixed organisms from surfaces and fabrics.

Option B: Dettol, which contains chloroxylenol, is a phenolic antiseptic that is significantly inactivated by organic matter such as blood, rendering it ineffective for this task.
Option C: Savlon, a combination of cetrimide and chlorhexidine, is an antiseptic primarily used for skin cleansing and disinfecting clean medical equipment like thermometers. It is not formulated to handle heavy bio-burdens like blood on clothing.
Option D: Spirit (alcohol) evaporates too quickly from surfaces to provide the necessary contact time to kill all pathogens, especially on absorbent materials like cloth. It is also flammable and not practical for large items.

Visual 1: Infographic: Steps for Safe Management of a Blood Spill. This would show a person in PPE, the materials needed (gloves, absorbent material, 1% hypochlorite solution), and the step-by-step process of containing, disinfecting, and disposing of the waste.
Visual 2: Chart: Comparison of Disinfectant Levels (High, Intermediate, Low). This would classify Sodium Hypochlorite as an intermediate-to-high level disinfectant, while placing the other options in lower categories in terms of efficacy against resistant pathogens and in the presence of organic matter.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Infection control and decontamination of biohazardous materials to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
This question reinforces the principle of Universal Precautions: all blood and body fluids must be treated as potentially infectious, regardless of the patient's known status. The choice of disinfectant is not just about cleaning, but about breaking the chain of infection.
Incorrect disinfectant choice can lead to the survival of pathogens and pose a significant risk of occupational exposure and transmission to healthcare workers and other patients.
Nurses are responsible for ensuring proper decontamination procedures are followed, including using the correct agent at the correct concentration (e.g., 1% sodium hypochlorite for blood spills).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: selecting a disinfectant for a specific contamination scenario.
Analyze the contaminant: It's blood, which is organic matter, and potentially contains a virus (HIV). This means the disinfectant must be virucidal and effective in the presence of organic material.
Analyze the object to be cleaned: Clothes (fabric), which are porous and absorbent.
Evaluate each option based on these requirements:
Does it kill viruses?
Does it work when blood is present?

Concept Tested & Keywords

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