Final answer:
A scalpel is a one-piece embalming instrument used for incisions and excisions. This medical tool requires sterilization and is referred to as a non-critical item when it contacts intact skin without penetrating sterile tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
An embalming instrument which is a one-piece scalpel used for making incisions and excisions is referred to as a scalpel. Scalpels are crucial in the field of embalming because they provide the precision needed for delicate tasks such as making clean cuts on tissue. The use of a scalpel is evident in historical contexts where clean cuts on bones found in archaeological sites suggest the work of sharp objects. In a medical setting, such sharp instruments require sterilization to prevent contamination. Moreover, medical items that come into contact with intact skin and do not penetrate sterile tissues or mucous membranes are classified as non-critical items according to their level of infection risk.