Arizona Esthetics State Board Practice Exam

What serves as the lowest level of infection control practices?

1. Sanitation

2. Disinfection

3. Sterilization

4. Isolation

The correct answer is: Sanitation

Sanitation serves as the lowest level of infection control practices because it involves procedures that reduce the number of microorganisms to a safe level as defined by public health standards. This typically includes cleaning techniques that remove dirt, debris, and some pathogens from surfaces. Sanitation is essential because it lays the groundwork for more advanced infection control methods, such as disinfection and sterilization, which involve destroying or significantly reducing the viability of pathogens. While disinfection and sterilization are crucial steps in infection control, they represent higher levels of intervention. Disinfection focuses on eliminating a higher level of pathogens than sanitation, targeting bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces or instruments. Sterilization goes even further by eliminating all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, and is used in settings where the highest level of asepsis is essential. Isolation, on the other hand, refers to practices used to separate infected individuals or contaminated items from others to prevent the spread of infection, rather than a method of cleaning or disinfecting. Thus, sanitation is foundational and necessary for promoting health and preventing the spread of infection, but it represents the starting point rather than the complete solution.