Which of the following is a common chemical used for high-level disinfection?

Glutaraldehyde is widely recognized as a common chemical used for high-level disinfection. This is primarily due to its effectiveness as a cold sterilant and high-level disinfectant for heat-sensitive medical and surgical instruments. It works by interacting with proteins in microorganisms, leading to their inactivation.

In the context of sterile processing, glutaraldehyde is particularly valuable for instruments that cannot withstand heat-based sterilization methods, making it a critical component in maintaining the safety and efficacy of healthcare procedures.

While other options such as hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach, and ethylene oxide are also used in disinfection processes, they serve different purposes or are classified differently. For instance, hydrogen peroxide is effective as a disinfectant but is not typically categorized as a high-level chemical agent like glutaraldehyde. Chlorine bleach is more often associated with general disinfection rather than high-level disinfection in sterile environments. Ethylene oxide is primarily used for gas sterilization rather than as a specific high-level disinfectant. Thus, glutaraldehyde stands out in the context of high-level disinfection due to its targeted action and application in sterile processing.