What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection in infection control?
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A
Sterilization destroys ALL microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces or destroys most microorganisms but not necessarily spores
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B
Disinfection destroys all microorganisms; sterilization only reduces bacterial counts
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C
Sterilization and disinfection are interchangeable terms
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D
Disinfection is used for surgical instruments; sterilization is used only for surfaces