CLINICAL MEDICINE

Detailed explanation-1: -Semicritical Items: Semicritical items are those that come in contact with mucous membranes, but not sterile body cavities. Common examples of semi-critical items include endoscopes, speculums, and ear/nose/throat instruments used for office procedures. These items require high level disinfection process.

Detailed explanation-2: -Critical instruments include forceps, scalpels, bone chisels, scalers, and burs. 2) Semicritical instruments are those that do not penetrate soft tissues or bone but contact oral tis-sues, such as mirrors and amalgam condensers. These devices should also be sterilized after each use.

Detailed explanation-3: -Critical instruments are items used to penetrate soft tissue or bone. They have the greatest risk of transmitting infection and should be sterilized with the use of heat. Examples of critical instruments include forceps, scalpels, bone chisels, scalers, and burs.

Detailed explanation-4: -Critical instruments penetrate soft tissue or bone (i.e. scalpels, scalers, and burs). Semi-critical instruments contact oral tissue without penetration (i.e. dental mouth mirrors and dental impression trays). Non-critical instruments contact intact skin.