Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What term describes items that confer a high risk for infection if contaminated with any microorganism?

1. Non-critical items

2. Semi-critical items

3. Critical items

4. Cleaning items

The correct answer is: Critical items

The term that describes items which confer a high risk for infection if contaminated with any microorganism is "critical items." Critical items are those that enter the vascular system or come into contact with normally sterile tissue. Examples include surgical instruments, needles, and other tools that penetrate the skin or mucous membranes. Because these items can directly introduce pathogens into the body, they must be sterilized after each use to prevent infection. In contrast, non-critical items are those that only contact intact skin, such as blood pressure cuffs or examination gloves, and they require less stringent disinfection protocols. Semi-critical items are those that contact mucous membranes, such as dental handpieces, and they require high-level disinfection, but not necessarily sterilization. The term "cleaning items" does not refer to a specific category relevant to the classification of items based on infection risk. Therefore, understanding the classification of items according to their risk level is key in infection control practices within dental hygiene.