Disinfection is defined as destroying most, but not all, harmful organisms on surfaces. Which option is the best restatement?

• A. Cleaning surfaces with water alone
• B. Using antiseptics to sterilize
• C. Applying a sanitizer that kills all organisms
• D. Destroying most, but not all, harmful organisms on surfaces

Answer: (D)

Disinfection reduces the number of harmful microorganisms on nonliving surfaces to a level considered safe, but it does not guarantee complete destruction of every organism. The restatement that fits this idea exactly says destroying most, but not all, harmful organisms on surfaces. The other options describe actions that either don’t address microbes (cleaning with water alone), imply complete destruction (sterilizing with antiseptics), or claim to kill all organisms (a sanitizer that guarantees 100% kill), which goes beyond what disinfection entails.