The respiratory therapist is in a contact isolation room with a patient. The stethoscope for use with this patient is located within the patient's room. Which of the following is the most appro-priate solution for disinfecting this stethoscope?
a. Acetic acid c. Glutaraldehyde
b. Ethylene oxide d. Isopropyl alcohol
ANS: D
Alcohols are used to disinfect equipment such as thermometers, stethoscopes, and fiberoptic en-doscopes; in addition, they are used to clean the surfaces of mechanical ventilators and prepara-tion areas. Acetic acid is the disinfectant of choice with home respiratory care equipment and is not often used in the hospital setting. Glutaraldehyde is a respiratory irritant and would not be appropriate for use in patient care areas. Ethylene oxide cannot be used at the bedside because it requires specialized equipment and takes several steps to prepare it for disinfectant use.
You might also like to view...
When transferring a patient from a bed to a wheeled stretcher, an EMT uses proper body mechanics when he or she:
A) primarily uses the muscles of his back to move the patient. B) aligns his shoulder, hips, and feet when moving the patient. C) transfers the patient to the stretcher all at once, not in stages. D) keeps his arms locked and the patient away from his body during the transfer.
A graduate of a two- or three-year AVMA-accredited associate degree or certificate program in veterinary science is a _______________________
A) veterinarian B) ?veterinary technician C) veterinary technologist D) ?veterinary practice manager