Free AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Practice Question

Isopropyl alcohol, at a concentration of 70%, is considered an appropriate antiseptic because it has rapid action against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and offers persistent antimicrobial activity. It is commonly used to prepare the skin before invasive procedures. Povidone-iodine is also an antiseptic agent, but it requires longer contact time to be effective and may not be as rapid-acting as isopropyl alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic with limited efficacy against anaerobic bacteria, often used for wound cleaning but not as effective for skin preparation before surgery. Saline solution is not an antiseptic; it's typically used to clean or irrigate wounds, but does not have antimicrobial properties.