Which of the following is true about an antiseptic?

The statement that an antiseptic inhibits the growth of microorganisms is accurate because antiseptics are specifically designed to reduce the number of viable microorganisms on skin or mucous membranes. They are intended for use on living tissue, which differentiates them from disinfectants that are typically applied to inanimate objects.

This property allows antiseptics to help prevent infection by diminishing the possibility of microbial proliferation when used before procedures such as surgeries or when cleaning wounds. Their efficacy is primarily preventative, as they do not necessarily kill all microorganisms, hence maintaining a balance that is safe for living tissue.

Other statements, while they may seem plausible, do not accurately describe the function of antiseptics. For instance, antiseptics and disinfectants serve different purposes, with disinfectants being crafted for surfaces rather than skin. Similarly, although some antiseptics may function in a germicidal capacity by killing certain pathogens, not all antiseptics achieve this complete eradication. Thus, the true nature of an antiseptic is that it inhibits the growth of microorganisms rather than killing them outright or being interchangeable with disinfectants or germicides.