Which solution used for clean to spillage of blood on the floor?

AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

Chloride-based solutions, specifically sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), are the standard and recommended disinfectant for blood spills.
The CDC recommends a 1:10 dilution of bleach in water for this purpose.
This solution is a strong oxidizing agent with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, making it highly effective against bloodborne pathogens like HIV, HBV, and HCV.
It is inexpensive, fast-acting, and readily available in most healthcare settings.

Option B: Phenolic compounds are less effective in the presence of organic matter like blood and are generally more toxic and corrosive than the recommended bleach solution.
Option C: Cidex (an activated 2% glutaraldehyde solution) is a high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant, not an environmental surface cleaner. It is used for heat-sensitive medical equipment.
Option D: Formalin is a solution containing formaldehyde, a toxic chemical and potential carcinogen. It is used for tissue preservation and fumigation, not for routine cleaning of spills.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Infection control and management of biohazardous spills helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper management of blood spills is a critical component of Standard Precautions and infection control, protecting both healthcare workers and patients from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Failure to correctly clean and disinfect a blood spill can lead to nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and create a significant safety hazard.
What if the blood spill occurs on a carpet or other porous surface? The protocol changes. The area should still be disinfected with a bleach solution, but the carpet will likely need to be professionally cleaned or, in many cases, cut out and disposed of as regulated medical waste, as complete decontamination is difficult.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for the correct disinfectant for a specific type of contamination (blood).
Recognize that blood is a biohazard, requiring a specific level of disinfection to neutralize bloodborne pathogens.
Recall standard infection control protocols. Think about the most common, effective, and recommended agent for environmental surfaces contaminated with blood.
Evaluate the options. Chloride (bleach) is a common and powerful disinfectant. Phenol, Cidex, and Formalin are also disinfectants but have more specialized, and often more hazardous, applications.
Select the option that is the standard of care for this specific scenario, which is the chloride-based solution.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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