NIC Nail Technician Written ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
Which of the following is considered a 'hospital-level' disinfectant suitable for use in a salon setting to effectively kill most bacteria, fungi, and viruses on non-porous surfaces?
- AHand sanitizer
- BQuaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
- CRubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl)
- DHousehold bleach (sodium hypochlorite) at 1% solution
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) are commonly used and effective hospital-level disinfectants in salons, registered by the EPA, capable of killing most pathogens on non-porous surfaces. Household bleach, when properly diluted, can also be hospital-level.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Hand sanitizer is an antiseptic for skin, not a disinfectant for surfaces.
- C. Rubbing alcohol is an antiseptic, not a broad-spectrum disinfectant for surfaces, and evaporates too quickly.
- D. While bleach can be a hospital-level disinfectant, the typical household solution is 5.25-6.15% and needs specific dilution (e.g., 1:10 or 1:100) to be effective, not a general '1% solution' which may not be strong enough.
Hospital-Level Disinfectants
Chemical germicides registered with the EPA as effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, suitable for use in healthcare and salon settings.
- Must be EPA-registered
- Effective against bacteria, fungi, and specific viruses (e.g., HIV, HBV)
- Examples include Quats, phenols, accelerated hydrogen peroxide
Memory trick: Hospital disinfectants are 'QUATS' (QUite A Thorough Solution).