Final answer:
Cleaning options range from soap and water to intermediate and low-level disinfection, based on the item's contact with human tissue and its intended use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The options for cleaning devices include:
- Cleaned and then disinfected with an intermediate-level disinfectant, which cannot kill all viruses and is less effective against endospores.
- Sanitized with a low-level disinfectant, effective against vegetative cells and some enveloped viruses but not endospores.
- Simply cleaned with soap and water, a method that may reduce microbial load but depends on the intended use of the object for its sufficiency.
The level of cleanliness ranges from sanitization to sterilization, influenced by factors such as the item's contact level with sterile tissues, mucous membranes, or intact skin. The selection between sterilization, high-level disinfection, and general cleanliness must consider the item's application to ensure it is 'clean enough' for its intended use without causing material degradation or posing a health risk through overuse of chemicals or methods that can produce toxic effects.