Which term refers to the removal of dirt and germs from surfaces?

• A. Cleaning
• B. Sterilization
• C. Nonpathogenic
• D. AIDS

Answer: (A)

The main concept is removing dirt and germs from surfaces through cleaning. Cleaning uses soap or detergent and water to physically lift and rinse away dirt, oils, and many germs, leaving the surface visibly clean. It’s the foundational step before any deeper disinfection or sterilization processes. Sterilization is much stronger; it aims to destroy all microbes, including spores, and is used for instruments that must be completely free of microbes. Nonpathogenic describes organisms that don’t cause disease, which doesn’t describe the action of removing dirt or germs. AIDS is a disease caused by HIV and isn’t related to the act of cleaning surfaces. So, the term that best fits the description is cleaning.