Final answer:
Semicritical instruments in patient care are those that may contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin but do not penetrate tissues, and they require high-level disinfection rather than sterilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Items that are classified as semicritical instruments in patient care include those that may contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin but do not penetrate the tissues. Examples include gastrointestinal endoscopes and respiratory therapy equipment. Semicritical items require a high level of disinfection rather than sterilization, which is necessary for critical items that penetrate sterile tissues or the bloodstream, such as surgical instruments and catheters. On the other hand, noncritical items, such as bed linens and stethoscopes, only need to be clean and are not required to undergo high-level disinfection.