Which type of germicide kills all types of microorganisms including spores?

• A. Disinfectant
• B. Antiseptic
• C. Sterilant
• D. Cleaning agent

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is a sterilant, which is specifically designed to kill all types of microorganisms, including spores. Sterilants are vital in surgical settings where complete eradication of all pathogens is essential for patient safety. They achieve this by employing strong chemical agents or processes, such as ethylene oxide gas or hydrogen peroxide vapor, that penetrate various materials and destroy even the most resistant bacterial spores.

In contrast, disinfectants are used to eliminate most pathogenic organisms but may not be effective against all spores or certain types of viruses. They are more suited for surfaces and instruments that do not require total sterilization. Antiseptics are intended for use on living tissue to reduce the risk of infection but do not provide the same level of microbial elimination as sterilants. Cleaning agents are primarily used for removing dirt and organic material but do not have significant germicidal properties and do not kill microorganisms effectively.