Final answer:
For effective sterilization using an immersion disinfectant, items need to be immersed for at least 10 hours, accounting for disinfectant concentration and temperature. An antiseptic is suitable for use on tissues for microbial control. Decimal reduction time is the time it takes to reduce a microbial population by 90%.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sterilization Using Immersion Disinfectant
For sterilization to occur using an immersion disinfectant, items must be immersed for a minimum of 10 hours. This is because effective sterilization depends on time, along with factors like the concentration of the disinfectant and the temperature it's used at. If the process involves a smaller starting number of microorganisms, the time can be adjusted accordingly. It's also important to note that any bodily fluids, tissue, organic matter, or biofilms can interfere with this process, demanding either a longer immersion time or a higher disinfectant concentration.
Microbial Control on Tissues
For microbial control on tissues to prevent infection, the correct choice would be antiseptic. An antiseptic is suitable for use on living tissues to reduce or stop the growth of microorganisms. In contrast, disinfectants are used on non-living surfaces, and sterilants are used for a complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, including spores.
Understanding Decimal Reduction Time
The decimal reduction time refers to the amount of time needed to reduce a microbial population by 90%. This term can also help in determining the efficacy of different sterilization methods across various conditions and microorganism populations.