chlorhexidine

Thân thiện

The surgeon washes his hands with chlorhexidine before the operation.

Definition

Noun: * A long-lasting liquid antiseptic used to disinfect skin and surfaces, particularly effective against a broad range of bacteria. It is commonly used in medical settings for surgical hand scrubs, preoperative skin preparation, and in some oral healthcare products.

Usage

• Medical/Surgical Hygiene: Used as a primary agent for disinfecting the hands of healthcare workers and the skin of patients before surgical procedures.
  • The surgical team scrubbed their hands thoroughly with chlorhexidine before entering the operating room.
• Oral Care: Found in certain mouthwashes and toothpastes to help control plaque and gingivitis.
  • Her dentist recommended a chlorhexidine mouthwash to reduce gum inflammation.
• General Antisepsis: Used for cleaning wounds and disinfecting skin prior to injections or inserting intravenous lines.
  • Clean the area with an alcohol swab followed by chlorhexidine.

Advanced Usage

• "Chlorhexidine gluconate": This is the most common salt form of chlorhexidine, dissolved in water or alcohol, used in commercial antiseptic solutions.
  • The antiseptic wipe contained a 2% solution of chlorhexidine gluconate.

Variants and Related Words

• Chlorhexidine gluconate (n): The specific chemical compound form most frequently used in antiseptic products.
• Antiseptic (n/adj): A general term for a substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
• Disinfectant (n): A chemical agent used to destroy harmful microorganisms on non-living objects.

Synonyms

• Antiseptic
• Germicide
• Skin disinfectant

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: Refers specifically to the chemical compound itself, known for its persistent antimicrobial activity (it continues to work for several hours after application).
• Contextual Meaning: The word is almost exclusively used in medical, dental, or clinical contexts. It is not a general household term like "antiseptic" or "disinfectant."

Học thuật

Noun

1. a long-lasting liquid antiseptic; used by surgeons to wash their hands before performing surgery