How should a digital radiographic sensor used on a patient with HIV be reprocessed between patients?

Correct answer: D. A double barrier plus an intermediate-level disinfectant wipe

• A. The barrier is the primary defence, so doubling the barrier matters more than doubling the wipe.
• B. Immersion will destroy the sensor's electronics and its cable seal.
• C. Autoclaving destroys a digital sensor outright.
• D. CORRECT. Standard precautions apply to every patient — HIV status does not alter the protocol. Digital sensors are semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes but are heat-labile and cannot be immersed. The accepted approach is an FDA-cleared barrier (doubled, since barriers leak in a meaningful proportion of uses), removed with gloves on, followed by an EPA-registered intermediate-level (tuberculocidal) disinfectant wipe.

Note: Note the framing trap: naming the patient's HIV status invites you to escalate the protocol. Standard precautions mean the protocol is already at the level required for every patient.