Question

To prevent hospital-acquired infections, a phlebotomy technician should clean items that have been contaminated by blood with a 1:10 dilution of which of the following substances and water?

A. hydrogen peroxide
B. isopropyl alcohol
C. sodium hypochlorite
D. benzalkonium chloride

Answer 1

To prevent hospital-acquired infections, a phlebotomy technician should clean items contaminated by blood with a 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and water. So the answer is C. sodium hypochlorite.

Answer 2

A phlebotomy technician should use a 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite and water to clean items contaminated with blood to prevent hospital-acquired infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent hospital-acquired infections, a phlebotomy technician should clean items that have been contaminated by blood with a 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and water. Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorinated disinfectant known for its broad-spectrum efficacy against microorganisms and its use in a variety of healthcare settings, particularly for disinfecting surfaces and equipment. This dilution ratio is generally recommended by public health organizations for the disinfection of nonporous surfaces to kill viruses and bacteria, including those that may be present in blood spills.

Cleaning and disinfection protocols are critical in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections. The use of appropriate disinfectants ensures that the potential for microbial contamination is minimized, thus safeguarding both patients and healthcare personnel. Sodium hypochlorite is particularly effective because it works against a wide range of pathogens, and a 1:10 dilution is sufficient to neutralize many infectious agents that may be present on contaminated surfaces.