Jasmine's Boyfriend Paul Has a Large Boil on His Back

Multiple Choice

Jasmine's boyfriend Paul has a large boil on his back. The boil is very painful to touch, and is surrounded by an area of redness that is warm to the touch. Jasmine tells you that she and Paul have decided that Jasmine will "pop" the boil later that evening when they are both home from school. You ask Jasmine what she plans to use to open the boil and she tells you she has a knife with a sharp point that she will use, and that she will wash it well with dishwashing detergent before she uses it.


-You tell Jasmine that there are various ways that she can in fact sterilize the knife she plans to use. Which of the following is unlikely to be available to Jasmine for sterilizing her knife in her home?

A) Household bleach, used at a 1:100 dilution.
B) Heating the knife in a flame, such as that on a gas stove.
C) Irradiating the knife with gamma rays.
D) Cleaning the knife with rubbing alcohol from the pharmacy.
E) Heating the knife to a high temperature in the oven.