Question

All reusable instruments (critical and semicritical) that contact the patient's blood, saliva, or mucous membranes must be ________?

1) disinfected
2) disposed
3) reused
4) sterilized

Answer 1

All reusable instruments that contact the patient's blood, saliva, or mucous membranes must be sterilized to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and prevent infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

All reusable instruments (critical and semicritical) that contact the patient's blood, saliva, or mucous membranes must be sterilized. Critical items are those used inside the body and must always be sterile. Examples include surgical instruments and catheters. Semicritical items may contact mucous membranes or nonintact skin but do not penetrate tissues. While they do not necessarily need to be sterilized, they require a high level of disinfection. Noncritical items, which may contact but not penetrate intact skin, need to be clean but not highly disinfected. To guarantee patient safety and prevent infections, reusable medical equipment, particularly those classified as critical and semicritical, require diligent sterilization protocols.

According to the CDC and NIH guidelines, sterilization is crucial for items used in medical settings to ensure an aseptic work environment and prevent the transmission of infections. The procedures and standards set for cleanliness and sterilization in healthcare are of utmost importance to maintain patient health and safety.