Final answer:
An alcohol-based solution is recommended for cleaning surfaces after a surgical procedure. It rapidly denatures proteins and disrupts cell membranes, offering effective disinfection without causing the same risk of surface damage as corrosive agents like bleach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical assistant should use an alcohol-based solution for cleaning countertops and other surfaces after a surgical procedure in a provider's office. Among the options provided, bleach solution could also be considered effective; however, due to its corrosive properties, it has a higher risk of damaging surfaces over time. Alcohol-based disinfectants are commonly used because of their ability to rapidly denature proteins and disrupt membranes, leading to cell lysis. This makes them a preferred option for quick and effective disinfection. Disinfectants like 70% ethanol (a type of alcohol) coagulate proteins quickly and are efficient in the inactivation of most microbes on fomites, albeit they do not achieve sterilization as they do not eliminate all microbial life such as endospores.