To decontaminate tools, you would:

• A. Scrub with a brush or sponge during the wash rinse cycle.
• B. Allow tools to air dry to maximize the dispersion process.
• C. Dry brush all tools then soak them in the water bath for at least 30 minutes.
• D. Collect them in an overpack drum to send to a third party.

Answer: (A)

Decontamination relies on removing contaminants from surfaces through a combination of mechanical action and cleaning agents. Scrubbing tools with a brush or sponge during the wash rinse cycle provides direct physical agitation that helps dislodge residues, while the detergent in the wash loosens contaminants and the rinse carries them away. This combination effectively reduces contamination on tools. Simply air drying doesn’t remove residues and can allow contamination to remain or become dispersed. Dry brushing before soaking can spread contaminants, and soaking without proper detergent action isn’t reliable cleaning. Collecting tools in an overpack drum is a disposal step, not a cleaning step.