Which of the following is a commonly used antiseptic?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

An antiseptic is a substance applied to living tissue to prevent infection.
Savlon is a common antiseptic solution containing Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Cetrimide.
Both chlorhexidine and cetrimide are effective germicidal agents that are safe for topical use on the skin for wound cleaning and general antisepsis.

Option B: Cidex contains glutaraldehyde, which is a high-level disinfectant used to sterilize inanimate objects like medical instruments. It is toxic and corrosive to living tissue.
Option C: Sodium chloride, in the form of normal saline, is an isotonic solution used for cleaning and irrigation. It does not have antimicrobial properties and serves only to mechanically wash away debris.
Option D: Phenol is a powerful, corrosive chemical primarily used as a disinfectant for surfaces and in some industrial processes. It is too harsh and toxic for routine use as a skin antiseptic.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Antiseptics and Disinfectants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient safety is paramount. Using a disinfectant like Cidex on a patient's skin instead of an antiseptic like Savlon can cause severe chemical burns and tissue damage.
Conversely, using only an antiseptic on a surgical instrument will not achieve the level of sterility required, posing a high risk of surgical site infection.
What if a nurse is preparing a patient for a minor surgical procedure and only normal saline is available? The nurse should clean the area with saline to remove debris but must then obtain a proper skin antiseptic (like povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine) to apply before the incision to reduce the microbial load and prevent infection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'antiseptic'.
Recall the definition of an antiseptic: a chemical agent used on living tissue to inhibit or kill microorganisms.
Differentiate this from a 'disinfectant', which is used on non-living objects.
Evaluate each option: Savlon is known for skin cleaning; Cidex for instrument sterilization; Sodium chloride for irrigation; and Phenol as a harsh chemical.
Based on the definition, Savlon is the only option designed for safe use on skin, making it the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 127-129

E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi Essentials 9e Part 3 p. 243-245

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.