What should the nurse use to decontaminate areas suspected of coming in contact with the Ebola virus?

The correct choice for decontaminating areas suspected of coming in contact with the Ebola virus is household bleach diluted 1:100. This solution is effective because bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, has proven virucidal properties, which means it can effectively inactivate a wide range of viruses, including the Ebola virus. The dilution of 1:100 is significant because it achieves the necessary concentration to neutralize pathogens while also being safe for various surfaces.

In contrast, sodium hypochlorite spray, while also effective, may not provide the specified dilution required for efficacy in all situations. Additionally, alcohol-based hand sanitizers primarily work for hand hygiene but are not suitable for surface decontamination of highly virulent pathogens like the Ebola virus. Hydrogen peroxide solutions can have some effectiveness against certain pathogens but might not be the first-line recommendation against Ebola specifically. Therefore, using a diluted bleach solution is the established practice in managing potential Ebola contamination effectively.