Which of the following is NOT a principle of asepsis?

• A. Sterilization
• B. Antisepsis
• C. Disinfection
• D. Sanitization

Answer: (B)

The idea here is understanding how asepsis is maintained by methods that reduce or remove microorganisms from environments, instruments, and surfaces, versus those used on living tissue. Sterilization achieves a completely sterile state by destroying all forms of microbial life, including spores, on instruments or in equipment. Disinfection lowers or eliminates most pathogens on inanimate surfaces, though it may not kill all spores. Sanitization reduces microbial counts to safe levels for general cleanliness. Antisepsis, on the other hand, involves applying chemical agents to living tissue to prevent infection by inhibiting or killing microorganisms. Since antisepsis targets living tissue rather than creating or maintaining a sterile environment, it’s not categorized as a principle of asepsis in the context of sterile-field practice.