Final answer:
After being cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, instruments should be thoroughly rinsed with clear water before being sterilized, generally with an autoclave, to ensure they are safe for medical use.
Step-by-step explanation:
After instruments have been through the cleaning cycle of an ultrasonic cleaner, they should be rinsed with clear water. This is to ensure that any residues from the cleaning solution are removed from the instruments. Once the instruments are thoroughly rinsed, they are typically ready for the next step in the sterilization process, which often involves autoclaving. Autoclaving uses steam under high pressure to effectively sterilize instruments, ensuring they are safe for medical use. It's important that instruments are not bagged or put away immediately after being in an ultrasonic cleaner, as these actions would precede the necessary sterilization which is essential in maintaining an aseptic environment.