Which term describes the process of removing most pathogens from living tissue?

Which term describes the process of removing most pathogens from living tissue?

• A. Antiseptic
• B. Sterilization
• C. Disinfection
• D. Sanitization

Answer: (A)

The key idea is reducing microbes on living tissue without damaging the tissue itself. This is antisepsis. Antiseptics are chemical agents applied to skin or wounds to lower the number of pathogens and prevent infection. Sterilization would destroy all forms of life, including spores, but that level of decontamination is used for instruments and inanimate objects, not living tissue. Disinfection lowers microbial load on inanimate surfaces, not on living tissue. Sanitization means cleaning to reduce microbial counts to safe levels, usually in environments or on surfaces, but not specifically about living tissue. So, applying an antiseptic like an alcohol or povidone-iodine to skin or a wound best fits the idea of removing most pathogens from living tissue.

The key idea is reducing microbes on living tissue without damaging the tissue itself. This is antisepsis. Antiseptics are chemical agents applied to skin or wounds to lower the number of pathogens and prevent infection.

Sterilization would destroy all forms of life, including spores, but that level of decontamination is used for instruments and inanimate objects, not living tissue. Disinfection lowers microbial load on inanimate surfaces, not on living tissue. Sanitization means cleaning to reduce microbial counts to safe levels, usually in environments or on surfaces, but not specifically about living tissue.

So, applying an antiseptic like an alcohol or povidone-iodine to skin or a wound best fits the idea of removing most pathogens from living tissue.