Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What does disinfection achieve?

1. Destroys all microbes on surfaces

2. Destroys most harmful organisms on surfaces

3. Removes visible dirt without killing germs

4. Prevents infection from all pathogens

The correct answer is: Destroys most harmful organisms on surfaces

Disinfection is a critical process in maintaining a safe and sanitized environment, especially in the field of esthetics and cosmetology. The primary goal of disinfection is to destroy harmful microorganisms on surfaces, making option B the most accurate answer. Disinfection involves the application of chemical agents to eliminate a significant number of pathogenic microorganisms, which includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but does not typically ensure the complete destruction of all microbes. This is particularly important in settings like salons and spas, where the risk of infection can arise from the tools and surfaces used during treatments. While the notion of destroying all microbes aligns with sterilization, which is a more intensive process, disinfection focuses on reducing the number of viable pathogens to a level that is not harmful to health. The correct understanding of disinfection is crucial for estheticians, as it lays the foundation for safe practices when interacting with clients. In contrast, certain other definitions, such as completely removing visible dirt without killing germs or preventing infections from all pathogens, do not encapsulate the essence of what disinfection aims to achieve. Additionally, while sanitation does involve cleaning surfaces, it does not reach the level of microbial destruction that disinfection does. Therefore, understanding that disinfection primarily targets harmful organisms establishes a