After the patient visit, which action is appropriate?

• A. Remove and disinfect
• B. Ignore
• C. Only disinfect floors
• D. Remove and disinfect

Answer: (D)

After a patient visit, preventing the spread of infection means both removing contaminated items and thoroughly disinfecting the area. This involves disposing of used disposable supplies, placing reusable equipment in the proper reprocessing stream, and wiping down all high‑touch surfaces (such as the exam table, countertops, doorknobs, and any other surfaces the patient or staff touched) with an appropriate disinfectant. Follow the product’s contact time and perform hand hygiene after cleaning. Floors alone aren’t enough—areas beyond the floor can harbor pathogens. By combining removal of contaminated items with complete disinfection, you effectively reduce the risk of transmission.