Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Safety and Infection ControlEasy
A medical assistant is preparing to clean a spill of body fluids that may contain bloodborne pathogens. Which of the following solutions is recommended by OSHA for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials?
- ASodium hypochlorite (1:10 dilution)
- BIsopropyl alcohol (70%)
- CQuaternary ammonium compounds
- DHydrogen peroxide (3%)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Sodium hypochlorite (1:10 dilution)
OSHA specifically recommends a 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials due to its effective germicidal properties.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. While an antiseptic, isopropyl alcohol is not the primary disinfectant recommended by OSHA for bloodborne pathogen spills.
- C. Quaternary ammonium compounds are disinfectants but are generally less effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including some bloodborne ones, compared to bleach.
- D. Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant but not the primary or most widely recommended by OSHA for bloodborne pathogen spills.
OSHA-Recommended Disinfectant for Bloodborne Pathogens
For surfaces contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials, OSHA recommends a 1:10 dilution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) for effective disinfection.
- 1:10 bleach solution is standard.
- Effective against a wide range of pathogens.
- Must be freshly prepared daily.
Memory trick: Bleach for Blood, Always Best Choice.