Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

Which reagent is most effective for skin decontamination?

1. Alcohol

2. Normal saline

3. Soap and water

4. Iodine

The correct answer is: Iodine

Iodine is recognized as a highly effective reagent for skin decontamination primarily due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. It works by penetrating the cell walls of microorganisms and disrupting their metabolic processes, leading to cell death. The use of iodine in medical settings, particularly in preoperative skin preparations, highlights its ability to reduce the risk of infections by effectively lowering the number of pathogens on the skin. While other options have their benefits, they may not match the efficacy of iodine in terms of providing a rapid and effective kill of a diverse range of microorganisms. For instance, alcohol is effective for decontaminating skin but may not be suitable for all types of pathogens and can be less effective in the presence of organic matter. Normal saline is primarily used for rinsing or as a transport medium and lacks antimicrobial properties. Soap and water are excellent for general cleanliness and removing dirt or organic matter but may not always eliminate all microbes as efficiently as iodine. Thus, iodine stands out as the most effective choice for skin decontamination in various clinical situations.