CRCST Practice Exam

What is the Spaulding classification for an endoscope?

1. Non-critical

2. Semi-critical

3. Critical

4. Reusable

The correct answer is: Semi-critical

The correct answer is B. Semi-critical. Endoscopes are considered semi-critical items according to the Spaulding classification system. This means they come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but do not penetrate sterile tissue. Therefore, they require a high-level disinfection between uses to prevent cross-contamination and ensure patient safety. Options A, C, and D are not applicable to endoscopes in terms of the Spaulding classification. Non-critical items do not touch the patient or only touch intact skin, so they have the lowest risk of transmitting infection. Critical items, on the other hand, penetrate sterile tissue and must be sterilized to prevent infection transmission. Lastly, the term "reusable" does not specifically describe the level of risk or required reprocessing for medical devices in the Spaulding classification system.