Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Safety and Infection ControlHard
A medical assistant is tasked with cleaning an examination room after a patient diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which type of disinfectant is most effective against C. diff spores?
- AQuaternary ammonium compounds
- BAlcohol-based hand rubs
- CChlorine-based solutions (e.g., bleach)
- DPhenolics
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Chlorine-based solutions (e.g., bleach)
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) produces spores that are highly resistant to many common disinfectants, including alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, and phenolics. Chlorine-based solutions, such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite), are recommended for environmental disinfection in C. diff outbreaks because they are sporicidal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Quaternary ammonium compounds are not sporicidal and ineffective against C. diff spores.
- B. Alcohol-based hand rubs are ineffective against C. diff spores.
- D. Phenolics are not sporicidal and generally ineffective against C. diff spores.
C. diff Disinfection
Specific disinfection protocols required to eliminate Clostridioides difficile spores from environmental surfaces.
- C. diff produces highly resistant spores.
- Alcohol and quats are ineffective against spores.
- Bleach is a recommended sporicidal agent.
Memory trick: C. diff needs Bleach, not Booze!