Infection Control · single question
How are digital dental X-ray sensors classified under Spaulding's classification?
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Correct answer: B. Semi-critical item
B) Semi-critical — CORRECT.
Digital sensors contact mucous membranes (oral mucosa) but do not penetrate sterile tissue. Per Spaulding's classification: semi-critical items contact mucous membranes and require, at minimum, high-level disinfection. Since sensors cannot be heat-sterilized, they require barrier protection (plastic sleeve) with high-level disinfection between patients.
A) Critical items penetrate sterile tissue (e.g., surgical instruments) and require sterilization.
C) Non-critical items contact only intact skin (e.g., blood pressure cuffs).
D) "Sterile item only" is not a standard Spaulding category.
Digital sensors contact mucous membranes (oral mucosa) but do not penetrate sterile tissue. Per Spaulding's classification: semi-critical items contact mucous membranes and require, at minimum, high-level disinfection. Since sensors cannot be heat-sterilized, they require barrier protection (plastic sleeve) with high-level disinfection between patients.
A) Critical items penetrate sterile tissue (e.g., surgical instruments) and require sterilization.
C) Non-critical items contact only intact skin (e.g., blood pressure cuffs).
D) "Sterile item only" is not a standard Spaulding category.
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