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NC Esthetician study materials
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NC Esthetician practice questions

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Question 1Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which process physically removes dirt, oil, and debris from a surface using soap and water?

  1. Sterilization
  2. Disinfection
  3. Sanitation Correct answer.
  4. Fumigation

Explanation

Sanitation is the first and most basic level of infection control: it uses soap and water or a detergent to scrub away dirt, oil, and debris along with many microorganisms. Disinfection and sterilization are stronger processes performed after cleaning. Fumigation is not a salon term for routine cleaning.

Question 2Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which agency must register a disinfectant before it can legally be sold for use in a salon?

  1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Correct answer.

Explanation

Disinfectants are classified as pesticides and must carry an EPA registration number on the label before they can be sold. The FDA oversees cosmetics and drugs, OSHA enforces workplace safety rules, and the CDC issues guidance rather than registrations.

Question 3Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should single-use items such as cotton swabs and wooden applicators be handled?

  1. Discarded after one use Correct answer.
  2. Disinfected and reused
  3. Stored in a covered container for the next client
  4. Washed and dried for reuse

Explanation

Single-use items are porous or cannot be adequately cleaned and are therefore discarded after one client. Reusing them risks cross-contamination even if they are wiped or soaked. Only items labeled reusable should go through cleaning and disinfection.

Question 4Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which practice is the most important single step in preventing the spread of infection in a salon?

  1. Placing implements under a UV lamp
  2. Frequent handwashing Correct answer.
  3. Spraying disinfectant into the air
  4. Wearing gloves at all times

Explanation

Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective single measure for reducing transmission of microorganisms between clients and between clients and the esthetician. Gloves do not replace handwashing, and air sprays and UV lamps do not disinfect properly.

Question 5Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which sequence correctly prepares a reusable metal implement for the next client?

  1. Clean, rinse, dry, then disinfect for the full contact time Correct answer.
  2. Rinse with water, dry with a towel, then apply alcohol with a cotton ball
  3. Spray with disinfectant, wipe with a towel, then store in a drawer
  4. Disinfect first, then remove debris with a brush and rinse

Explanation

Reusable implements must first be scrubbed clean to remove all visible debris, because disinfectants cannot penetrate dirt, oil, or product residue. After rinsing and drying, the implement is fully submerged in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the contact time on the label.

Question 6Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client reports fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise. These signs most likely indicate which condition?

  1. An allergic reaction
  2. A local infection
  3. A systemic infection Correct answer.
  4. A fungal infection

Explanation

Fever, swollen lymph nodes, and malaise are signs that an infection has spread beyond one site and affected the whole body, which is a systemic infection. Local infections show redness, swelling, pain, and pus confined to one area. Service should be postponed and the client referred to a physician.

Question 7Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which of these is a bloodborne pathogen?

  1. Staphylococcus aureus
  2. Streptococcus pyogenes
  3. Tinea pedis
  4. Hepatitis B virus Correct answer.

Explanation

Hepatitis B is a virus transmitted through blood and other body fluids, making it a bloodborne pathogen covered by Standard Precautions. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are bacteria that commonly cause skin infections, and tinea pedis is a fungal infection.

Question 8Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An implement has been visibly contaminated with blood. What is the correct next step?

  1. Wipe it with alcohol and return it to the drawer
  2. Spray it with disinfectant and dry it with a clean towel
  3. Rinse it under water and reuse it on the next client
  4. Glove up, clean it, then use a tuberculocidal disinfectant Correct answer.

Explanation

Any item contaminated with blood must be handled with gloves and cleaned of all visible material before being disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant carrying a tuberculocidal claim. This is the level required by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for blood contact.

Question 9Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

When using an EPA-registered disinfectant on implements, how long should they remain immersed?

  1. Until visible debris is gone
  2. One minute for every disinfectant
  3. A standard five minutes for all products
  4. The time listed on the label Correct answer.

Explanation

Each disinfectant has its own manufacturer-determined contact time, and the product only works if the implement stays fully immersed for that entire period. Using a shorter time or a generic rule can leave infectious organisms alive.

Question 10Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A spore test is used in a salon to do which of the following?

  1. Checks that an autoclave is sterilizing properly Correct answer.
  2. Measures the mineral content of water
  3. Detects hepatitis B on a tool surface
  4. Confirms that a disinfectant solution is still at full strength

Explanation

Spore tests use highly resistant bacterial spores to verify that an autoclave is reaching the temperature and pressure needed for sterilization. They are a monitoring tool for the sterilizer, not for chemical disinfectants or water quality.

Question 11Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which condition is caused by a fungus?

  1. Herpes simplex
  2. Conjunctivitis
  3. Impetigo
  4. Tinea corporis Correct answer.

Explanation

Tinea corporis, commonly called ringworm of the body, is a fungal infection that appears as an itchy, ring-shaped, scaly patch. Impetigo and conjunctivitis are bacterial, and herpes simplex is viral. Fungal infections are contagious and require a physician referral before service.

Question 12Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician should decline to perform a facial and refer the client to a physician when the client has which of the following?

  1. An active herpes simplex lesion Correct answer.
  2. Several blackheads on the nose
  3. A mild sunburn on the shoulders
  4. Dry, flaky skin on the cheeks

Explanation

An active herpes simplex lesion is contagious and can be spread by direct contact with the blister or its fluid, so service must be postponed until the lesion has healed. Dryness, mild sunburn, and comedones are within the esthetician's scope when handled appropriately.

Question 13Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Under Standard Precautions, gloves must be worn in which situation?

  1. When greeting a client at the reception desk
  2. When blood or body fluids may be present Correct answer.
  3. When wiping down the front counter
  4. When mixing a moisturizer in a bowl

Explanation

Standard Precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, so gloves are required whenever contact with them is anticipated. Routine tasks such as greeting clients or mixing products do not involve body fluids.

Question 14Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What information does a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provide?

  1. Insurance and billing information
  2. Hazards and safe handling Correct answer.
  3. The client's skin type and history
  4. Pricing and appointment schedules

Explanation

An SDS is supplied by the manufacturer for every hazardous chemical and describes its hazards, first aid measures, storage, and required protective equipment. OSHA requires that SDSs be kept accessible to employees in the workplace.

Question 15Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement about antiseptics is correct?

  1. They are applied to skin to reduce microbes Correct answer.
  2. They are used mainly on inanimate surfaces
  3. They are regulated by the EPA as pesticides
  4. They destroy all spores on tools

Explanation

Antiseptics are formulated for use on living tissue, such as skin, to reduce the number of microorganisms before a service or injection. Surface products used on implements are disinfectants and carry EPA registration, while antiseptics are regulated as over-the-counter drugs by the FDA.

Question 16Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should used towels and linens be handled after a service?

  1. Shaken out and reused for the next client
  2. Stored in the same cabinet as clean linens
  3. Folded and stacked for later reuse
  4. Put in a closed hamper until laundered Correct answer.

Explanation

Soiled linens carry moisture, product residue, and microorganisms, so they are placed in a closed container and laundered before reuse. They must never be stored with clean linens or shaken out, which scatters contaminants into the air.

Question 17Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician develops redness, itching, and small blisters on the hands after using a quaternary ammonium disinfectant without gloves. This reaction is best described as which of the following?

  1. Contact dermatitis Correct answer.
  2. Hepatitis B
  3. Tinea corporis
  4. Folliculitis

Explanation

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction caused by direct contact with an irritating or allergenic substance such as a chemical disinfectant. It is not an infection, so it does not spread to clients, but it requires the use of gloves and proper ventilation to prevent recurrence.

Question 18Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why are spore-forming bacteria such as Bacillus and Clostridium a concern in infection control?

  1. They infect only animals, never humans
  2. They resist many disinfectants Correct answer.
  3. Soap and water destroys them on contact
  4. They are viruses and cannot form spores

Explanation

Bacterial spores have a tough outer coat that allows them to survive heat, drying, and many common disinfectants for long periods. This is why blood-contaminated items require a tuberculocidal disinfectant, a class of products proven able to kill the organism that causes tuberculosis.

Question 19Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which of the following is a sign of a local infection?

  1. Swollen lymph nodes
  2. General fatigue and achiness
  3. Pus and redness at the site Correct answer.
  4. Fever and chills

Explanation

A local infection is confined to one area and produces redness, swelling, pain, heat, and pus at that site. Fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes indicate that the infection has spread through the body.

Question 20Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct way to dispose of a used razor blade?

  1. Flushed down the toilet
  2. Wrapped in tissue and put in the trash
  3. Dropped into a sharps container Correct answer.
  4. Placed in the recycling bin

Explanation

Any item that can pierce the skin, such as a razor blade or lancet, is a sharp and must go into a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container. This protects employees and custodial staff from accidental cuts and blood exposure.

Question 21Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

The term contamination refers to which of the following?

  1. The complete destruction of all microbes
  2. When an object carries infectious material Correct answer.
  3. The use of an autoclave on tools
  4. The removal of visible dirt and oil

Explanation

Contamination means that blood, body fluids, or other infectious material has come into contact with an object or surface. A contaminated item must be cleaned and disinfected before it can be used again, and contaminated disposable items must be discarded.

Question 22Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is true about UV light cabinets used to hold implements in a salon?

  1. They sterilize tools so no other step is needed
  2. They do not replace proper cleaning and disinfection Correct answer.
  3. They kill bacterial spores within minutes
  4. They are required by OSHA for all salons

Explanation

UV cabinets reach only exposed surfaces and cannot penetrate debris, so they are not an acceptable substitute for cleaning followed by an EPA-registered disinfectant. Many states do not recognize UV cabinets as a disinfection method at all.

Question 23Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard require of salon employers?

  1. Use disposable tools for every service
  2. Sterilize all linens after each use
  3. Provide training and PPE at no cost Correct answer.
  4. Check every client's temperature before service

Explanation

The standard requires employers to give employees bloodborne pathogens training, personal protective equipment, and access to the hepatitis B vaccine at no charge, along with a written exposure control plan. It does not mandate temperature checks, linen sterilization, or all-disposable tools.

Question 24Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should an esthetician mix a concentrated chemical disinfectant for use?

  1. Dilute per the label in a ventilated area Correct answer.
  2. Use hot water even if the label says otherwise
  3. Double the concentrate for a stronger effect
  4. Mix it in a closed room without ventilation

Explanation

Concentrates must be diluted exactly as the label directs because the correct ratio determines both effectiveness and safety. Mixing should occur in a well-ventilated area while wearing gloves and eye protection.

Question 25Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

After use on a client, a metal comedone extractor should be handled in which way?

  1. Wash, rinse, dry, then soak in disinfectant Correct answer.
  2. Spray with water and dry it with a paper towel
  3. Wipe with a dry towel and return it to the drawer
  4. Rinse in alcohol and air dry on the counter

Explanation

A reusable metal implement must be scrubbed with soap and water to remove all debris, rinsed, dried, and then fully immersed in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the labeled contact time. Only then may it be stored for the next client.

Question 26Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the purpose of cleaning an implement before it is disinfected?

  1. It removes debris so disinfectant can reach the surface Correct answer.
  2. It destroys bacterial spores that disinfectants cannot kill
  3. It sterilizes the implement so no disinfection is needed
  4. It coats the implement so disinfectant clings better

Explanation

Cleaning removes visible product, oil, and debris that would otherwise block contact between the disinfectant and the implement surface. Disinfection is only effective on surfaces that have been cleaned first. Cleaning alone does not sterilize or destroy spores.

Question 27Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What should be done with a wooden applicator spatula after it is used to remove product from a jar?

  1. Rinse it and store it with clean implements
  2. Disinfect it and return it to the jar
  3. Place it in the towel hamper for laundering
  4. Discard it after a single use Correct answer.

Explanation

Wood is porous and cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected, so single-use wooden items are discarded after one use. Reusing a wooden spatula risks transferring microorganisms into the product. Only nonporous implements can be disinfected and reused.

Question 28Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the minimum length of time hands should be lathered with soap and water during routine handwashing?

  1. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  2. 2 minutes
  3. 10 seconds
  4. 5 seconds

Explanation

Health authorities recommend lathering all hand surfaces with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. This duration allows soap to lift and rinse away transient microorganisms. Shorter times are less effective, and much longer times are not required for routine washing.

Question 29Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should disinfected implements be stored between clients?

  1. In a cloth pouch
  2. In a clean, covered container Correct answer.
  3. In an open tray on the counter
  4. In a drawer with soiled linens

Explanation

Once disinfected, implements must be protected from dust, moisture, and airborne contaminants until use. A clean, covered container keeps them in a disinfected state. Open or fabric storage exposes them to recontamination.

Question 30Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why must electrical outlets near a sink or wet work area be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?

  1. It keeps water from splashing into the outlet
  2. It shuts off power when current leaks to ground Correct answer.
  3. It disinfects the outlet between clients
  4. It increases voltage for faster equipment operation

Explanation

A GFCI monitors current flow and quickly cuts power if electricity leaks toward ground, such as through water or a person. This reduces the risk of electric shock in wet areas. A GFCI does not change voltage, block splashes, or sanitize anything.

Question 31Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should a disinfectant concentrate that is in use be stored?

  1. In an unmarked spray bottle for quick access
  2. In a clear bottle placed in direct sunlight
  3. In its original container with the label intact Correct answer.
  4. In a beverage cup to prevent spills

Explanation

Chemicals must remain in their original labeled containers so that hazards, directions, and first-aid information are always available. Unlabeled containers invite misuse and accidents. Heat and sunlight can also degrade disinfectants.

Question 32Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Blood-soaked gauze from a service should be placed in which container?

  1. A covered trash can in the reception area
  2. The regular trash can lined with a plastic bag
  3. A labeled biohazard bag or container Correct answer.
  4. A laundry hamper with used towels

Explanation

Items saturated with blood are regulated waste and must go into a labeled biohazard bag or container for proper handling. This protects staff and clients from accidental exposure. Ordinary trash and laundry are not appropriate for blood-soaked materials.

Question 33Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician's hands are visibly soiled with product. What is the appropriate action before continuing?

  1. Wipe hands on a clean towel
  2. Apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer and proceed
  3. Rinse with water only
  4. Wash with soap and water Correct answer.

Explanation

Alcohol-based sanitizers are not reliable when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, because soil interferes with their action. Soap and water physically remove the soil along with microorganisms. Toweling or rinsing alone does not clean the hands.

Question 34Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What does an EPA registration number on a disinfectant label indicate?

  1. It is safe for direct contact with skin
  2. It requires no dilution before use
  3. It sterilizes all implements on contact
  4. It has met EPA requirements for its labeled claims Correct answer.

Explanation

An EPA registration number shows the product has been reviewed and registered for the claims printed on its label, such as bactericidal or virucidal activity. It does not mean the product is safe on skin or capable of sterilization. Dilution requirements are stated separately in the directions.

Question 35Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Where should an esthetician confirm the required contact time for a disinfectant?

  1. In the salon appointment book
  2. In the client intake form
  3. On the product manufacturer's label Correct answer.
  4. On the salon inspection checklist

Explanation

Contact time is product-specific and is stated by the manufacturer on the disinfectant label. Implements must remain fully immersed for that entire time to be effectively disinfected. Other salon records do not contain this information.

Question 36Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why should an esthetician avoid double-dipping a spatula into a product jar?

  1. It is required by the FDA for labeling
  2. It changes the pH of the product
  3. It can transfer microorganisms into the product Correct answer.
  4. It makes the product dry out faster

Explanation

A spatula that has touched skin can carry microorganisms back into the container, contaminating the entire product. Using a clean spatula for each removal, or a single-use applicator, prevents this cross-contamination. Product dryness and pH are unrelated to this practice.

Question 37Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why is a natural-bristle brush difficult to disinfect adequately?

  1. It is too costly to replace regularly
  2. Its bristles melt in most disinfectants
  3. Its porous material harbors microorganisms Correct answer.
  4. It cannot be cleaned with soap and water

Explanation

Natural bristles are porous and can trap product, moisture, and microorganisms deep within the material where disinfectants may not reach. For this reason, synthetic, nonporous tools are preferred for reusable implements. Cost and melting are not the reasons.

Question 38Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the primary function of an ultrasonic cleaner in a salon?

  1. To disinfect implements in place of a chemical
  2. To dry implements after they are washed
  3. To sterilize implements with high-pressure steam
  4. To loosen and remove debris before disinfection Correct answer.

Explanation

An ultrasonic cleaner uses sound waves to create bubbles that lift debris from small crevices, making it a cleaning step. It does not sterilize or replace chemical disinfection. Implements still require disinfection after ultrasonic cleaning.

Question 39Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An autoclave destroys microorganisms using which method?

  1. High-pressure steam heat Correct answer.
  2. Chemical vapor soaking
  3. Ultraviolet light exposure
  4. Ultrasonic vibration

Explanation

An autoclave uses steam under pressure to reach temperatures that destroy all microbial life, including spores. This makes it a sterilization device rather than a disinfectant. UV cabinets, chemical soaks, and ultrasonic units operate differently and are not equivalent.

Question 40Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician is accidentally splashed with a client's blood. What should she do first?

  1. Wash the area with soap and water Correct answer.
  2. Finish the service, then rinse the area
  3. Apply antiseptic and continue the service
  4. Report the incident at the end of the week

Explanation

Immediate washing with soap and water is the first step after a blood exposure to the skin, followed by reporting the incident and seeking any required medical evaluation. Delaying care increases risk. Antiseptics do not replace thorough washing.

Question 41Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, what must an employer offer to employees with occupational exposure risk?

  1. Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost Correct answer.
  2. Annual blood tests for all clients
  3. A personal supply of disinfectant
  4. Weekly medical checkups

Explanation

The standard requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine free of charge to employees who face occupational exposure to blood. Employees may decline after being informed. Client testing, personal supplies, and weekly checkups are not requirements of the standard.

Question 42Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client arrives with an intensely itchy rash and tiny burrows between the fingers. This most likely indicates which condition?

  1. Comedones
  2. Seborrheic dermatitis
  3. Scabies Correct answer.
  4. Rosacea

Explanation

Scabies is a contagious infestation by a mite that burrows into the skin, commonly between the fingers, causing intense itching. It is spread by direct contact, so service should be deferred and the client referred to a physician. Comedones, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis are not burrowing infestations.

Question 43Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which set of signs indicates inflammation?

  1. Pallor, coolness, and numbness
  2. Dryness, flaking, and tightness
  3. Bruising, scarring, and crusting
  4. Redness, heat, swelling, and pain Correct answer.

Explanation

The classic signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and sometimes loss of function. These reflect increased blood flow and immune activity in the tissue. Pallor, scarring, and dryness are not the cardinal signs of inflammation.

Question 44Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

When should a disinfectant solution in a soaking jar be replaced?

  1. Once a month regardless of use
  2. When it becomes cloudy or at the label's stated interval Correct answer.
  3. After every third client
  4. Only when the jar is empty

Explanation

A disinfectant loses strength as it is used and becomes contaminated with debris, so it must be changed when it looks cloudy or dirty and at the interval stated on the label. Some products also require daily replacement. Refilling only when empty or on an arbitrary schedule can leave implements inadequately disinfected.

Question 45Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A chemical splash enters a client's eye. What is the correct first aid?

  1. Rinse the eye with a boric acid solution
  2. Apply a soothing cream to the eyelid
  3. Have the client close the eye and rest
  4. Flush the eye with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

Immediate, prolonged flushing with lukewarm water is the standard first aid for a chemical eye splash, and medical care should follow. Flushing dilutes and removes the chemical before it causes further damage. Creams and closing the eye do not remove the substance.

Question 46Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement correctly distinguishes sterilization from disinfection?

  1. Disinfection destroys all spores, while sterilization does not
  2. Sterilization kills only bacteria, while disinfection kills viruses
  3. Sterilization destroys all microbial life; disinfection does not Correct answer.
  4. Sterilization and disinfection are interchangeable terms

Explanation

Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life, including spores, while disinfection reduces or destroys many pathogens on surfaces but not necessarily all spores. The two processes are not interchangeable. Disinfection is the standard for reusable esthetic implements that are not sterilized.

Question 47Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How does a sanitizer differ from a disinfectant?

  1. It destroys all bacterial spores on an implement during soaking
  2. It lowers bacteria to a safe level without killing all pathogens Correct answer.
  3. It is a stronger product class than a hospital disinfectant
  4. It is used only on skin and never on hard surfaces

Explanation

Sanitizers reduce the number of bacteria on a surface to a level considered safe by public health standards, but they do not necessarily kill all pathogens. Disinfectants are formulated to destroy or irreversibly inactivate specific pathogens on inanimate surfaces. Sanitizers are therefore a lower level of control than disinfectants.

Question 48Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A disinfectant is labeled bactericidal only. Which organisms may survive its use?

  1. Fungi and viruses Correct answer.
  2. Staphylococcus and Salmonella
  3. All bacteria on the surface
  4. Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli

Explanation

A bactericidal claim means the product kills bacteria, so fungi and viruses may survive unless the label also lists fungicidal or virucidal claims. Esthetic implements should be treated with a product whose labeled claims match the organisms of concern. The bacterial examples listed would be targeted by a bactericidal product.

Question 49Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

On a disinfectant label, what does hospital-grade indicate?

  1. The product sterilizes implements when used in an autoclave
  2. The product may be applied directly to skin during surgical procedures
  3. The product is safe for all fabrics and upholstery
  4. It is effective against Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella Correct answer.

Explanation

A hospital-grade or hospital disinfectant claim means the product is effective against the three organisms specified by the EPA for that claim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica. It does not make the product safe on skin or capable of sterilization. Fabric safety is unrelated to this claim.

Question 50Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement about porous and nonporous items is correct?

  1. Nonporous items must always be discarded after one use
  2. Both porous and nonporous items can be sterilized with disinfectant
  3. Porous items are easier to disinfect than nonporous items
  4. Porous items cannot be reliably disinfected and are discarded Correct answer.

Explanation

Porous materials such as wood, foam, and natural bristles absorb liquids and trap microorganisms where disinfectants cannot reliably reach them, so they are treated as single-use. Nonporous items like metal and glass can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse. Disinfectants do not sterilize either type of material.