Which statement about decontamination is true?

• A. It sterilizes surfaces
• B. It uses only heat
• C. It removes HD residue and deactivates HDs
• D. It is the same as cleaning

Answer: (C)

Decontamination in hazardous drug handling aims to reduce exposure by removing HD residues from surfaces and equipment and by inactivating any remaining drug. It goes beyond simple cleaning, which only removes soils and dirt; decontamination is specifically about eliminating chemical hazards and neutralizing the drug to make the surface safe for handling again. It is not sterilization, which would require killing all microorganisms, and it is not limited to heat—chemical cleaners and proper wipe-down procedures are often used to remove and neutralize residues. So, the statement that decontamination removes HD residue and deactivates HDs is the accurate description.