NIC Esthetician Written ExamSafety and Infection ControlMedium
An esthetician just completed a service and is preparing to clean their workstation. They need to disinfect multi-use tools that came into contact with the client's skin. What is the correct sequence of steps for disinfecting these tools?
- AWash with soap and water, rinse, dry, immerse in disinfectant.
- BRinse, immerse in disinfectant, wash with soap and water, dry.
- CWash with soap and water, rinse, dry, immerse in disinfectant, rinse, dry.
- DImmerse in disinfectant, wash with soap and water, rinse, dry.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Wash with soap and water, rinse, dry, immerse in disinfectant, rinse, dry.
Proper disinfection of multi-use tools involves first thoroughly cleaning them with soap and water to remove all visible debris, rinsing, drying, then immersing them in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required contact time, followed by a final rinse and dry before storage.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While cleaning first is correct, disinfection is followed by another rinse and dry for storage, not just drying after immersion.
- B. Rinsing before washing doesn't effectively remove debris; disinfectant should be applied to clean tools.
- D. Disinfecting dirty tools is ineffective, as organic debris can neutralize the disinfectant.
Multi-Use Tool Disinfection
The multi-step process of cleaning multi-use tools by washing with soap and water, rinsing, drying, immersing in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the specified contact time, then rinsing and drying again before storage.
- Cleaning (soap & water) must precede disinfection.
- Disinfectant requires specific contact time.
- Tools must be rinsed and dried after disinfection.
Memory trick: Clean, Rinse, Dry, Dip, Rinse, Dry, Store.