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What is a key characteristic of cytotoxic agents in healthcare?
They are used solely for disinfection.
They are specifically for killing cancer cells.
They promote cell growth.
They can be used on patients' skin.
The correct answer is: They are specifically for killing cancer cells.
Cytotoxic agents are specifically designed to target and kill cancer cells, making them a crucial part of cancer treatment protocols. These agents work by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow and divide, which is essential in managing malignant tumors. Their primary application is in chemotherapy, where they help to reduce the size of tumors or even eliminate cancer cells from the body. The other options focus on characteristics or uses that do not accurately describe cytotoxic agents. Disinfection certainly involves agents that eliminate harmful organisms, but that is not the function of cytotoxic agents, which are intended for use in a therapeutic context rather than disinfection. The promotion of cell growth directly contradicts the role of cytotoxic agents, as their purpose is to inhibit growth and induce cell death in cancerous cells. Lastly, the use of these agents typically involves more controlled environments, such as intravenous administration, rather than topical applications on patients' skin, where other types of agents would be more appropriate. Thus, the focus on their ability to specifically kill cancer cells accurately reflects their primary function.