Final answer:
c) A lancet , is the correct answer to the student's question, being a needle-like device used for making small punctures in the dermis for blood sampling. Lancets must be sterile to prevent infection and are different from non-critical items, which only touch intact skin and do not require sterilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lancet is a small, sterile, needle-like piece of metal used to make small punctures in the dermis.
A lancet is a medical device commonly used to obtain samples of blood for testing, such as glucose levels in diabetic patients. This tool provides a quick and minimally painful way to pierce the skin, allowing for a small amount of blood to be collected. Unlike devices that penetrate deeper into tissues or come into contact with mucous membranes, lancets are designed for superficial punctures of the dermis, safely accessing capillaries without significant damage to skin or tissues. In the context of the reference information, a lancet would not be considered a(n) item because it is intended to penetrate the skin, thus requiring sterilization to avoid infection. In contrast, items like gloves or blood pressure cuffs that only touch intact skin are termed non-critical and do not necessarily require sterilization but should be disinfected between uses.