Which solution is used to disinfect the bed linen of HIV positive patient?

HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Applied Microbiology & Infection control (E5)

Easy

Appeared in: HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorine-based disinfectant, specifically a hypochlorite, which is highly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including viruses like HIV.
It is the standard and recommended agent for disinfecting surfaces and linen contaminated with blood and other body fluids due to its potent virucidal properties.
It is inexpensive, fast-acting, and readily available, making it a staple in healthcare settings for infection control.

Option A: Lysol contains phenolic compounds (cresol). While it is a good general-purpose disinfectant for floors and surfaces, it is not the primary choice for disinfecting linen contaminated with bloodborne pathogens like HIV.
Option B: Dettol's active ingredient is chloroxylenol. It is primarily used as a skin antiseptic and for general household disinfection. It is less effective against certain viruses and is not recommended for disinfecting items contaminated with blood.
Option D: Savlon is a combination of chlorhexidine and cetrimide. It is an antiseptic, meaning it is formulated for use on living tissue (skin) to clean wounds and prevent infection. It is not a disinfectant intended for inanimate objects like bed linen.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Infection control and disinfection procedures for bloodborne pathogens to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Adherence to correct disinfection protocols is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Understanding the difference between an antiseptic (for skin) and a disinfectant (for surfaces/objects) is fundamental to safe nursing practice.
What if? If a patient has a known C. difficile infection, sodium hypochlorite (bleach) would still be the disinfectant of choice, as C. difficile forms spores that are resistant to many other disinfectants like alcohol and quaternary ammonium compounds.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the item to be disinfected ('bed linen'), the contaminant ('HIV positive patient', implying blood/body fluids), and the action ('disinfect').
Recall the different categories of chemical agents used in healthcare settings.
Differentiate between antiseptics (used on living tissue) and disinfectants (used on inanimate objects). This helps eliminate options like Savlon.
Consider the specific pathogen (HIV). This requires a disinfectant with proven virucidal activity, especially for bloodborne viruses.
Evaluate the remaining options based on their primary use and effectiveness. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is the standard for blood spills and contaminated linen. Lysol and Dettol are more for general environmental or household use.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Infection control and disinfection procedures for bloodborne pathogens.
Stem keywords: disinfect, bed linen, HIV positive patient
Lead-in keywords: Which solution
Negative lead-in flag: false

Q_jnBTDugm8TRqf4rK_v3Z

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) pp. 127-129, 128-130