Which level of disinfection kills most bacteria and some viruses but not TB and spores?

The correct answer regarding the level of disinfection that kills most bacteria and some viruses, but does not effectively eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and bacterial spores, is low level disinfection.

Low level disinfection is primarily used to clean non-critical items and surfaces that come into contact with intact skin. It is effective against vegetative bacteria and some viruses, but it does not provide sufficient efficacy against more resilient pathogens such as TB or bacterial spores. This makes it suitable for environments where lower-level disinfection is appropriate, like in general cleaning of surfaces, but it is not sufficient for items that require a higher standard of disinfection, especially in healthcare settings.

In contrast, high level disinfection is aimed at eliminating almost all microorganisms, including TB, and is used for semi-critical items that come into contact with mucous membranes. Intermediate level disinfection is more effective than low level disinfection and can kill mycobacteria, making it suitable for items that may come into contact with non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Sterilization is the most thorough method, achieving complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores.

Thus, the distinction between these levels of disinfection is crucial in practice, especially in healthcare environments where the type of