Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Low level disinfectants kill most microbes but do not destroy:

1. Viruses

2. Bacteria

3. Fungi

4. Spores

The correct answer is: Spores

Low level disinfectants are designed to eliminate many types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making them inadequate for complete sterilization. However, the key point to understand is that low level disinfectants do not have the capability to destroy spores. Spores are a resilient form of bacteria that can survive in harsh environments and are typically found in certain organisms such as Clostridium and Bacillus. These structures are highly resistant to most disinfection processes, including those used by low level disinfectants. In contrast, low level disinfectants effectively target and neutralize vegetative bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which do not have the same protective characteristics as spores. This limitation is crucial for surgical settings where the risk of infection needs to be minimized, highlighting the importance of employing higher-level disinfection or sterilization methods when dealing with instruments that may come into contact with spores. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure appropriate infection control measures are implemented in healthcare environments.