Final answer:
To increase the potency of a disinfectant, you can increase its concentration, adjust the pH, or use a lower concentration for a longer time. However, the most reliable methods are generally to increase concentration and prolong exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
To increase the potency of a disinfectant against an organism that is highly resistant to disinfectants, there are several strategies you might employ. Firstly, you can increase the concentration of the disinfectant. A higher concentration of the active ingredient in the disinfectant will often be more effective at killing resistant organisms. Secondly, altering the pH could potentially enhance disinfectant activity because certain disinfectants work better in specific pH conditions. This tactic could be effective depending on the chemistry of the disinfectant and the nature of the organism you're dealing with.
Lastly, you might opt to decrease the concentration of the disinfectant but leave it on for a longer time. This method leverages the fact that time of exposure can compensate for lower concentrations to some extent, as longer contact times can increase efficacy. This strategy relies on the principle that microbial death occurs logarithmically, meaning it takes longer to kill a high number of organisms compared to a lower number. However, it's important to consider that some organisms may be able to resist low concentrations even over extended periods.
In summary, options A (Increase the concentration of the disinfectant) and B (Alter the pH of the disinfectant) are both correct. Option C (Decrease the concentration of the disinfectant, but leave it on for a longer time) might work, but it is less reliable and would depend on the nature of both the disinfectant and the organism. Therefore, not all available answers are equally correct, and a combination of a higher concentration and longer contact time would generally offer the best chance of effectively disinfecting the contaminated surface.