Which is an example of a high-level disinfectant?

Glutaraldehyde is considered a high-level disinfectant due to its ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as its effectiveness against spores when used properly. High-level disinfection is essential in healthcare settings, especially for heat-sensitive medical instruments that require thorough cleaning to prevent infections. Glutaraldehyde works by penetrating the cell wall of microorganisms and disrupting protein synthesis, making it effective against a wide range of pathogens.

In contrast, the other options, while useful for disinfection, are not categorized as high-level disinfectants. Alcohol wipes are primarily antiseptics that provide surface-level disinfection but are not effective against spores. Chlorine bleach is a strong disinfectant but typically falls under intermediate-level disinfection for many applications, and hydrogen peroxide, while effective against a variety of pathogens, may not achieve the same broad-spectrum disinfection level as glutaraldehyde depending on concentration and contact time. This makes glutaraldehyde the most suitable choice for high-level disinfection in scenarios requiring sterilization of critical instruments.