Question

Which of the following types of medical items requires sterilization?

a) Critical items
b) Semi-critical items
c) Non-critical items
d) Disinfectants

Answer 1

Critical items require sterilization to eliminate all forms of microbial life because they come into contact with sterile tissues or the bloodstream, whereas semicritical and noncritical items require lower levels of disinfection.

Step-by-step explanation:

In healthcare settings, different categories of medical items require different levels of cleanliness, based on their intended use. According to the provided reference, critical items are those that are used inside the body and often come into contact with sterile tissues or the bloodstream. Therefore, critical items such as surgical instruments, catheters, and intravenous fluids must undergo sterilization to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. In contrast, semicritical items come into contact with mucous membranes or nonintact skin and require high-level disinfection rather than sterilization, whereas noncritical items may come into contact with intact skin and need to be clean but not necessarily sterile or highly disinfected. Disinfectants are substances used to reduce the microbial load on surfaces or objects but do not necessarily sterilize them.