Question

All tools or supplies that come in contact with the client during a service must be discarded or:

A. Sterilized after each use
B. Disinfected after each use
C. Reused for cost-effectiveness
D. Rinsed with water and air-dried

Answer 1

Tools that come in contact with clients during a service should be disinfected after each use. Sterilization is required for medical and laboratory equipment, while antiseptics are used on living tissues. The level of microbial control needed depends on the situation and the items involved.

Step-by-step explanation:

All tools or supplies that come in contact with the client during a service must be disinfected after each use. Disinfection is a method of microbial control used to destroy or inhibit the activity of disease-causing microorganisms on surfaces and tools.

Using a disinfectant helps to prevent the transmission of infections between clients. For items that come into contact with bodily fluids or are used in sterile fields, sterilization may be required, which is a more rigorous process of eliminating all microbial life. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective coats, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves are necessary when handling potentially infectious materials, and thorough hand-washing routines should be followed.

Antiseptics are suitable for use on living tissues to help prevent infection. Sterilization is reserved for medical and laboratory equipment, using procedures such as autoclaving. While sterilization is more definitive in eliminating microbes, it is not always practical or necessary for every item, thus a proper assessment of the required level of microbial control is essential.