Final answer:
For sterilization using an immersion disinfectant, the items must be immersed for at least 10 hours, based on typical high-level disinfectant guidelines. An antiseptic is appropriate for microbial control on living tissues. Decimal reduction time (D-value) refers to the time taken to reduce a microbial population by 90%.
Step-by-step explanation:
For sterilization using an immersion disinfectant, items must be immersed for a minimum of 10 hours. The correct choice would be 'none of the above.' This is because according to the relevant material, sterilization protocols, such as dry heat, require temperatures up to 170 °C for at least 2 hours in a dry-heat sterilizer. However, it is important to note that immersion disinfectants typically contain high-level disinfectants and sterilants which need sufficient contact time to achieve sterilization. This contact time varies based on factors including the type of microorganisms present, the concentration of the disinfectant, and the presence of organic material. For immersion disinfection, simply consulting the manufacturer's guidelines will provide the specific immersion time required for the specific product used.
When referring to the control of microbial growth on tissues to prevent infection, the appropriate term would be an antiseptic, which is safe to use on living tissues.
The decimal reduction time (D-value) refers to the amount of time it takes to reduce a microbial population by 90% (option C). Therefore, for the complete elimination of a microbial population, multiple D-values are required, depending on the initial number of organisms and the level of sterility required.