Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

Which statement about disinfectants is correct?

1. They can be applied to any surface without restriction.

2. All surfaces must come in direct contact with the disinfectant.

3. Disinfectants should be diluted before use.

4. Disinfectants are only effective on porous surfaces.

The correct answer is: All surfaces must come in direct contact with the disinfectant.

The statement that "all surfaces must come in direct contact with the disinfectant" is correct because effective disinfection requires the chemical agent to come into direct contact with the microorganisms present on the surface. For a disinfectant to effectively kill pathogens, proper application is essential; this typically means that the disinfectant needs to be applied generously, allowing for adequate contact time as recommended by the manufacturer's guidelines. Direct contact is crucial because without it, microorganisms may remain viable either through insufficient exposure or being shielded by dirt or organic material on the surface. This contrasts with statements about disinfectants being applicable to any surface without restriction, which overlooks that some surfaces may be sensitive to certain chemicals, or that disinfectants need specific contact conditions to be effective. Moreover, the need for dilution of disinfectants varies and is dependent on the product formulation, so it cannot be generalized as a necessity for all disinfectants. Additionally, the assertion that disinfectants are only effective on porous surfaces is inaccurate, as many disinfectants are designed for a variety of surfaces, including non-porous materials.