Which solution is used for management of blood spillage?

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

Explanation

Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful, broad-spectrum disinfectant effective against bacteria, viruses (including HIV, HBV, HCV), and fungi.
It is the active ingredient in household bleach and is recommended by major health organizations like the CDC and WHO for decontaminating blood spills.
A 0.5% solution, typically prepared by making a 1:10 dilution of standard household bleach, provides the necessary concentration for effective disinfection.
It is inexpensive, fast-acting, and readily available in most healthcare settings.

Option B: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a weak alkali and has no significant antimicrobial properties. It cannot be used to disinfect blood spills.
Option C: While potassium hypochlorite has disinfectant properties similar to sodium hypochlorite, it is not the standard or commonly recommended agent for blood spill management in healthcare protocols.
Option D: Potassium chloride is an electrolyte supplement used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels). It has no disinfectant properties.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Infection Control and Blood Spill Management helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper blood spill management is a fundamental component of Standard Precautions, protecting both healthcare workers and patients from exposure to potentially infectious bloodborne pathogens.
Failure to correctly decontaminate a blood spill can lead to nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and poses a significant occupational health risk.
Compliance with established protocols for biohazard cleanup is a regulatory requirement (e.g., by OSHA in the US) and a key aspect of patient and staff safety.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for the correct disinfectant for blood spills.
Recall the principles of infection control and decontamination. Blood is considered a biohazardous material requiring a potent disinfectant.
Evaluate each option based on its chemical properties and common uses in a healthcare setting.
Eliminate options that are not disinfectants (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride).
Between the remaining options, select the one that is the universally recognized standard for blood and body fluid decontamination, which is sodium hypochlorite (bleach).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 128-130

Practise the full Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

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