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Question

Consider the following statements about Tincture of Iodine :

1. It is an antiseptic solution.

2. lodine is kept in alcohol-water mixture.

3. Concentration of iodine is very low.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2022 English Previous Year Paper (10-April-2022)
The correct answer is

3

Understanding Tincture of Iodine Statements

Let's carefully analyze each statement provided about Tincture of Iodine to determine its accuracy.

Statement 1: It is an antiseptic solution.

Tincture of Iodine is a well-known and widely used antiseptic. Antiseptics are substances applied to living tissue (like skin) to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Tincture of Iodine works by killing microorganisms on the skin surface. Therefore, the statement that it is an antiseptic solution is correct.

This statement is correct.

Statement 2: Iodine is kept in alcohol-water mixture.

Tincture of Iodine is typically prepared by dissolving iodine in a mixture of ethanol (alcohol) and water. Sometimes, a soluble iodide salt like potassium iodide (\(\text{KI}\)) or sodium iodide (\(\text{NaI}\)) is added to increase the solubility of iodine in the solvent. Thus, the base solvent is indeed an alcohol-water mixture.

This statement is correct.

Statement 3: Concentration of iodine is very low.

The concentration of iodine in Tincture of Iodine varies depending on the specific formulation, but it is typically in the range of 2% to 5% by weight or volume. For example, standard Tincture of Iodine (USP) contains about 2% iodine. While 2-5% might not seem 'very low' in absolute terms, compared to elemental iodine or some other chemical concentrations, it can be considered relatively low for a powerful disinfectant. Given the context and the common formulations, this statement is considered correct.

Typical iodine concentrations in different preparations:

PreparationApproximate Iodine Concentration
Tincture of Iodine (USP)2%
Weak Iodine Solution (BP)2.5%
Strong Iodine Solution (Lugol's)5%

Considering the typical range of 2-5%, the statement that the concentration is 'very low' is taken as correct in the context of this question.

Conclusion on Tincture of Iodine Statements

Based on our analysis of each statement:

  • Statement 1: It is an antiseptic solution. - Correct
  • Statement 2: Iodine is kept in alcohol-water mixture. - Correct
  • Statement 3: Concentration of iodine is very low. - Correct

All three statements about Tincture of Iodine are considered correct.

Revision Table: Key Facts about Tincture of Iodine

PropertyDescriptionAccuracy (for the question)
Primary UseAntiseptic solutionCorrect
Solvent BaseAlcohol (Ethanol) and Water mixtureCorrect
Iodine ConcentrationTypically 2% to 5%Considered 'very low' (Correct)

Additional Information: Iodine in Antiseptics

Iodine is a highly effective antimicrobial agent used in various medical preparations. Its antiseptic properties are due to its ability to rapidly penetrate cell walls of microorganisms and disrupt protein and nucleic acid synthesis. This broad-spectrum activity makes it effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even spores.

While Tincture of Iodine was historically very common, newer iodine-based antiseptics like povidone-iodine have gained popularity as they are generally less irritating and staining. However, Tincture of Iodine is still used, particularly for disinfecting unbroken skin before surgery or injections.

Understanding the composition and properties, such as the concentration of iodine in Tincture of Iodine, is important for its proper and safe application as an antiseptic.

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