Final answer:
Alcohol wipes are used to disinfect and cleanse skin before medical procedures like injections and phlebotomy. They are considered antiseptics and are compared historically to phenol for effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alcohol wipes are commonly disinfected and used to cleanse the skin before injections and phlebotomy. Antiseptics such as alcohol are suitable for use on living tissues to provide microbial control and help prevent infection. Historically, the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants, including alcohol, has often been compared to that of phenol. It is important that healthcare personnel use the correct antiseptic technique to reduce the risk of infection.