National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Cosmetology Practice Exam

A disinfecting solution is used to accomplish what regarding bacteria?

1. Destroy or slow down

2. Enhance growth

3. Remove completely

4. Cause resistance

The correct answer is: Destroy or slow down

A disinfecting solution is designed to destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. Disinfectants contain chemical agents that are effective at killing a wide range of microorganisms, thus reducing the risk of infection and promoting a hygienic environment. While disinfection may not always remove all bacteria completely, as seen in the concept of "sterilization," it is sufficient to greatly diminish the numbers of harmful organisms to safe levels. Enhancing growth would contradict the purpose of disinfection, as these solutions are intended to inhibit microbial proliferation. The idea of removing bacteria completely aligns more closely with sterilization techniques, which go beyond the capabilities of standard disinfecting processes. Lastly, causing resistance is not a function of disinfectants; rather, it refers to the ability of bacteria to adapt to antimicrobial agents, which is a separate concern in microbial management. Therefore, the primary goal of disinfectants is to effectively destroy or slow down microbial activity.