Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the term for the removal of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface?

1. Sanitation

2. Disinfection

3. Decontamination

4. Sterilization

The correct answer is: Decontamination

The term that describes the removal of blood or other potentially infectious materials from an item's surface is decontamination. This process includes cleaning and sanitizing, which effectively reduces the number of pathogens and eliminates the risk of infection from potentially infectious materials. Decontamination is particularly important in esthetic practices where exposure to bloodborne pathogens may occur. It ensures that surfaces and instruments are safe to handle and use, thereby protecting both the practitioner and the client. Sanitation refers to lowering the number of microorganisms to a safe level but does not specifically address the removal of visible contamination. Disinfection goes further by killing a high percentage of pathogens on surfaces, but it does not necessarily involve the removal of visible materials. Sterilization is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including spores, and requires specific methods such as autoclaving, which goes beyond simple surface cleaning or material removal.