Which solution would the nurse select as the most effective means of killing harmful bacteria when preparing?

Keeping your living space and common surfaces clean is important for your health. But this isn’t the same thing as disinfecting or sterilizing.

Disinfecting and sterilizing are both types of decontamination, a process that makes something safe to touch. The purpose is to kill enough germs so the risk of infection is extremely low.

Decontamination is different from cleaning, which can get rid of dust and dirt but may only remove some of the germs that are present.

Read on to learn more about the differences between disinfecting and sterilizing, and about some best practices for fighting COVID-19 and other harmful agents.

You may hear the terms “disinfect,” “sterilize,” and even “sanitize” used interchangeably, but these aren’t the same thing.

All of these methods are antimicrobial processes that aim to kill germs to some degree. But there are key differences to understand before choosing which mode of decontamination is best in your situation.

Overall, sterilization is the most advanced form of decontamination, but disinfecting and sterilizing both kill more germs than sanitizing.

Disinfecting

The process of disinfecting removes harmful organisms from objects. This is usually done by applying chemical sprays or wipes.

One of the greatest advantages to disinfecting is the availability of products to the general public. It’s possible to find disinfectants in wipe, spray, or other liquid forms, and you can even make your own products at home.

Depending on the type of disinfectant used, the product may need to be left on surfaces for as little as 20 minutes or as long as 12 hours.

What it kills

Disinfectants can kill most viruses and fungi, with the majority of commercial products also marketed as effective against the COVID-19 virus when used as directed.

While disinfectants can kill bacteria, they may not be able to treat bacterial spores, which lay dormant.

Sterilization

Sterilization, on the other hand, is a process typically used by professionals in settings such as hospitals.

While disinfecting gets rid of most germs, sterilization removes all microorganisms — including those that aren’t harmful. Sterilization is common in medical facilities, but it may also be helpful for businesses and schools that want to get rid of germs in entire rooms.

Methods of sterilization may include:

• pressurized steam (autoclaving)
• hydrogen peroxide gas
• ethylene oxide (EtO) gas
• ionizing radiation (typically used for medical equipment)
• dry heat cabinets (for medical instruments)
• infrared radiation
• advanced filtration

Sanitizing

Sanitizing is another method of removing dirt and killing germs that’s often confused with sterilizing.

While sterilization gets rid of all germs, sanitizing aims to lower the amount to a safe level. The process of sanitizing can involve both cleaning and disinfecting.

It’s also worth mentioning that while hand sanitizers may not eliminate all germs, they’re good to have on-hand until you have access to warm water and soap to properly wash your hands.

While sterilization is typically done by professionals, you can properly disinfect items and common surfaces yourself at home or in your workplace.

Here are some tips for safely disinfecting:

• Make sure your product is an actual disinfectant. The manufacturer will indicate such usage on their product labels.
• Beware of “natural” products claiming to kill germs. While natural wipes and sprays may be useful for cleaning, they don’t have the germ-eliminating capabilities that chemical disinfectants do.
• Learn what the product is designed to kill. Read your disinfectant’s label to find out what kinds of bacteria, fungi, and viruses the product can get rid of. This is especially important if you’re trying to fight coronaviruses like COVID-19.
• Let the disinfectant stay on surfaces for the right amount of time. Follow the product’s instructions on the label regarding how long it should sit for. Don’t wipe or wash the disinfectant away unless the instructions say so.
• Wear gloves. Handling these products could cause irritation to the skin, and contact should be avoided.
• Don’t combine chemicals. This is especially true of hydrogen peroxide and bleach.
• Safely store your disinfectant products. Put lids and caps back on tightly, and keep all products out of reach of children. Store disinfectants in a cool, dry place, such as a cabinet, and discard them if they’re expired.
• Use the disinfectant in a well-ventilated area. This is especially important to do if the product contains bleach.

Washing your hands frequently, wearing face masks in public, and avoiding close contact with others outside of your household are all important methods of containing the spread of COVID-19.

But it’s also important that you clean and disinfect or sterilize shared surfaces.

Some common areas to disinfect in order to protect against COVID-19 include:

• kitchen counters
• sinks
• toilets
• doorknobs
• stair railings
• light switches
• phones
• remotes
• toys
• changing tables

The importance of cleaning

While cleaning itself doesn’t kill all germs, this can be an important first step before disinfecting or sterilizing.

Cleaning physically removes dirt and some germs first, clearing the way for disinfectants to work more effectively. You may also conduct both processes at the same time. An example of this would be mopping the floor, but using a disinfectant in the bucket.

Regular cleaning is an important way to keep you and your family healthy. But to effectively kill harmful microorganisms such as COVID-19, you’ll also need to disinfect common surfaces.

Disinfecting kills most harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Sterilizing may be more appropriate for larger commercial settings and medical facilities because it’s guaranteed to get rid of all microorganisms.

Proper sterilizing methods are always done by professionals. But you can disinfect surfaces on your own at home and in your workplace. Carefully follow all product directions, and avoid mixing chemicals or using them in nonventilated areas.

Antibiotics are medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria.

They include a range of powerful drugs used to treat diseases caused by bacteria.

Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu, and most coughs.

This article explains what antibiotics are, how they work, potential side effects, and antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are powerful medications that treat certain infections and can save lives when used properly. They either stop bacteria from reproducing or destroy them.

Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the immune system can typically kill them. White blood cells (WBCs) attack harmful bacteria — even if symptoms occur, the immune system can usually cope and fend off the infection.

However, sometimes the number of harmful bacteria is excessive, and the immune system cannot clear them all. Antibiotics are useful in this scenario.

The first antibiotic was penicillin. Penicillin-based antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G, are still available to treat a variety of infections and have been in use for many years.

Several types of modern antibiotics are available, and they are usually only available with a prescription in the United States. Topical antibiotics are available in over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments.

There are different types of antibiotics, which work in their unique way. However, the two main they work include:

• A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin, kills the bacteria. These drugs usually interfere with either the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.
• A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

It may take a few hours or days after taking the first dose before people feel better or their symptoms improve.

Experts advise using antibiotics only when they are needed. This is to ensure that the bacteria is killed and is unable to multiply and spread to other parts of the body.

Also, antibiotic use can sometimes be associated with side effects and antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs no longer respond to the antibiotic designed to kill them. Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics is driving up the incidence of antibiotic resistance.

Sometimes prescriptions of the wrong medication — or the wrong dosage — can lead to antibiotic misuse. Misuse can also occur when people do not take antibiotics as their doctor prescribes. Some measures people can take include finishing the treatment course and not sharing antibiotic medications with others— even if they have the same symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that in the United States, around 47 million antibiotic courses are inappropriately prescribed to people, meaning their illness did not require antibiotics.

Some bacteria — such as Enterobacterales — can become resistant to carbapenems, a major class of last-line antibiotics. Enterobacterales are an order of bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other diseases. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is an example of an Enterobacterale.

CRE, or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, pose a major concern to people in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

Experts believe that carbapenem resistance may lead to:

• a greater incidence of disease
• a reduction in the effectiveness of initial antibiotic therapy
• poorer outcomes

In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech in 1945, Alexander Fleming said:

“Then there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily underdose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug, make them resistant.”

As the man who discovered the first antibiotic predicted, drug resistance is starting to become commonplace.

Antibiotic resistance is now considered one of the greatest public health challenges.

A doctor prescribes antibiotics for the treatment of a bacterial infection. It is not effective against viruses.

Knowing whether an infection is bacterial or viral helps to treat it effectively.

Viruses cause most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and flu. Antibiotics do not work against these viruses.

If people overuse antibiotics or use them incorrectly, the bacteria might become resistant. This means that the antibiotic becomes less effective against that type of bacterium, as the bacterium has been able to improve its defenses.

A doctor can prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat a wide range of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against a few types of bacteria.

Some antibiotics attack aerobic bacteria, while others work against anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, and anaerobic bacteria do not.

In some cases, a healthcare professional may provide antibiotics to prevent — rather than treat — infection, as might be the case before surgery. This is the “prophylactic” use of antibiotics. People commonly use these antibiotics before bowel and orthopedic surgery.

Learn more about aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Antibiotics commonly cause the following side effects:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• rash
• upset stomach
• sensitivity to sunlight, when taking tetracyclines
• with certain antibiotics or prolonged use, fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina

Some unusual side effects of antibiotics include:

• low platelet count, when taking cephalosporins, and penicillins, among others
• severe aches and pains, when taking fluoroquinolones
• hearing loss, when taking macrolides or aminoglycosides
• low granulocyte — a type of WBC — count, when taking penicillin
• formation of kidney stones, when taking sulfonamides

Some people — especially older adults — may develop C.difficile infection. They may experience bowel inflammation, which can lead to severe, bloody diarrhea.

Learn more about the side effects of antibiotics.

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to antibiotics, especially penicillin. Side effects might include:

Allergic reactions to antibiotics might be immediate or delayed. This means that a person may experience adverse effects of the drug within an hour or within weeks.

Anyone who has an allergic reaction to an antibiotic must tell their doctor or pharmacist. While rare, people may experience a serious and sometimes fatal reaction to an antibiotic. They are called anaphylactic reactions.

People with reduced liver or kidney function should be cautious when using antibiotics. This may affect the types of antibiotics they can use or the dose they receive.

Likewise, people who are pregnant or nursing should speak with a doctor about the best antibiotics to take.

Learn more about penicillin allergy.

Individuals taking an antibiotic should not take other medicines or herbal remedies without speaking with a doctor first. Certain OTC medicines might also interact with antibiotics.

Some doctors suggest that antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. However, research does not generally support this.

Nonetheless, people who experience diarrhea and vomiting or are not taking their oral contraceptive during illness due to an upset stomach might find that its effectiveness reduces.

In these circumstances, doctors may recommend people take additional contraceptive precautions.

Doctors may also advise avoiding alcohol for certain drugs, such as doxycycline. However, drinking alcohol in moderation is unlikely to cause problems with the most commonly used antibiotics.

People usually take antibiotics by mouth. However, doctors can administer them by injection or apply them directly to the part of the body with infection.

Most antibiotics can start working within a few hours. Doctors advise people to complete the whole course of medication to prevent the return of the infection.

Stopping the medication before the course has finished increases the risk that the bacteria will become resistant to future treatments. The ones that survive will have had some exposure to the antibiotic and may consequently develop resistance to it.

An individual needs to complete the course of antibiotic treatment even after they notice an improvement in symptoms.

Doctors and the leaflet provided with the drug provide specific instructions on how to take the medication correctly.

People can follow some tips for using antibiotics effectively, such as:

• Avoiding alcohol when using metronidazole.
• Avoiding dairy products when taking tetracyclines, as these might disrupt the absorption of the medication.
• Taking the medication at the same time, or at set times in the day — this depends on how many times a day a person needs to take the drug.

Read the article in Spanish.