Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO) Practice Exam

The efficacy of a disinfectant is significantly influenced by factors such as the type of microorganism it is targeting and the extent of direct contact with the surfaces being disinfected. Different microorganisms have varying levels of resilience; some may be more resistant to certain disinfectants, while others may be more susceptible. For instance, bacterial spores tend to be more resistant than vegetative cells, meaning that disinfectants must be selected according to the specific pathogens present. Additionally, direct contact plays a crucial role. A disinfectant must have adequate time and exposure to the surface or material being treated in order to effectively destroy or deactivate microorganisms. If the disinfectant does not adequately contact the microorganisms due to poor application or coverage, its efficacy will be significantly compromised. While factors like temperature and humidity are important elements in the overall effectiveness of a disinfectant, they do not directly influence its chemical action against particular types of microorganisms in the same way that the specific organism and contact time do. Thus, understanding these specific factors is essential for ensuring effective disinfection in practice.