The decontamination process is intended to remove HD residue and deactivate HDs.

• A. Sterilize HDs
• B. Inactivate water
• C. Disinfect air
• D. Remove HD residue and deactivate HDs

Answer: (D)

The main concept is that decontamination in hazardous drug handling focuses on reducing risk by removing chemical residues and neutralizing the drugs themselves. The best option matches this goal precisely: it states removing HD residue and deactivating HDs, which is what decontamination aims to achieve on surfaces and equipment.

Sterilizing HDs would imply making the drugs or surfaces free of all microorganisms, which isn’t about removing chemical residues or neutralizing the hazard. Inactivating water or disinfecting air address different concerns—microbial or environmental aspects—not the chemical contamination from hazardous drugs. So the statement about removing HD residue and deactivating HDs best describes the purpose of decontamination.