Final answer:
Non-critical items likely to be contaminated that cannot be cleaned and disinfected should be protected with disposable impervious barriers. These barriers help maintain hygiene and prevent infection, providing a safe environment in healthcare settings. Correct answer is b) Disposable.
Step-by-step explanation:
If non-critical items or surfaces likely to be contaminated are manufactured in a manner that prevents cleaning and disinfection, they shall be protected with disposable impervious barriers. Non-critical items are those that may come into contact with intact skin such as bed linens, furniture, crutches, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs. These items need to be clean but not sterile, unlike critical items that require sterilization because they penetrate sterile tissues or the bloodstream. Selecting the appropriate barrier and cleaning protocol is essential for infection control in healthcare settings.
Reusable barriers could theoretically be an answer if the barriers themselves can be effectively cleaned and disinfected after use. However, given the potential difficulty in effectively sterilizing or disinfecting these barriers, particularly for items not easily cleaned, disposable barriers are frequently chosen for their convenience and assurance of sanitation after single use. They help maintain a hygienic environment by providing a fresh, uncontaminated surface for each patient. So, the correct answer is b) Disposable.