Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

Low-level disinfectants are generally intended for use on surfaces that are not considered critical or semi-critical, which means they do not need to achieve the same level of disinfection as high-level disinfectants. The correct statement about low-level agents indicates that they are effective at killing most bacteria, but they may not be able to eliminate certain strains of fungi or viruses.

Low-level agents typically include quaternary ammonium compounds, which are effective against many vegetative bacteria, but their efficacy can vary with specific strains, particularly in terms of certain more resistant organisms. In terms of viruses, low-level disinfectants may not be effective against all types, particularly non-enveloped viruses, which can pose a higher risk in infection control.

This understanding is crucial in infection control practices, as it emphasizes the importance of selecting the right level of disinfectant for specific environments and types of pathogens present. High-level disinfection (or sterilization) is required for certain medical devices or in settings where there is a higher risk of transmission, underscoring the limitations of low-level agents in more critical applications.