Final answer:
An ultrasound probe that contacts mucous membranes or non-intact skin is classified as (2) contaminated.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an ultrasound probe contacts mucous membranes or non-intact skin, the probe is classified as contaminated. This is because it has been exposed to body fluids that may contain pathogens. According to the classification of medical items regarding the level of sterilization required, there are critical, semicritical, and noncritical items. The ultrasound probe in this scenario falls into the semicritical category, as it may contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin but does not penetrate tissues.
Therefore, such a semicritical item requires a high level of disinfection but not necessarily sterilization, to ensure that it is safe for use on the next patient.
A medical item that contacts intact skin and does not penetrate sterile tissues or mucous membranes is called a noncritical item. For example, blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes are designed in this category. Noncritical items need to be clean but do not require high-level disinfection or sterilization unless contaminated with blood or bodily fluids.