Which should never be used on mucous membranes or in the eyes or an open wound?

Which should never be used on mucous membranes or in the eyes or an open wound?

• A. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)
• B. Hexachlorophene
• C. Iodophors
• D. Alcohols

Answer: (D)

Alcohols should never be used on mucous membranes, in the eyes, or on an open wound because they are highly cytotoxic to human cells and cause rapid tissue dehydration, burning, and chemical injury. Their protein-denaturing and lipid-dissolving action is effective for sterilizing intact skin, but the same effects damage delicate tissues such as mucous membranes and exposed wound surfaces, delay healing, and can injure the eye if contact occurs. Other agents in the list are used with safer profiles on skin and mucous membranes under appropriate circumstances (for example, chlorhexidine or iodine-based preparations are common for skin prep and can be used around mucous membranes with proper precautions, while hexachlorophene carries toxicity concerns and is largely avoided). The key idea is that, unlike alcohols, those agents have safer interactions with mucous membranes, eyes, and open wounds when used correctly.

Alcohols should never be used on mucous membranes, in the eyes, or on an open wound because they are highly cytotoxic to human cells and cause rapid tissue dehydration, burning, and chemical injury. Their protein-denaturing and lipid-dissolving action is effective for sterilizing intact skin, but the same effects damage delicate tissues such as mucous membranes and exposed wound surfaces, delay healing, and can injure the eye if contact occurs.

Other agents in the list are used with safer profiles on skin and mucous membranes under appropriate circumstances (for example, chlorhexidine or iodine-based preparations are common for skin prep and can be used around mucous membranes with proper precautions, while hexachlorophene carries toxicity concerns and is largely avoided). The key idea is that, unlike alcohols, those agents have safer interactions with mucous membranes, eyes, and open wounds when used correctly.