X-ray instruments should always be what?

X-ray instruments should always be what?

• A. Sterlized
• B. Clean
• C. Calibrated
• D. Inspected

Answer: (A)

Infection control is the key here: items that contact patient tissues must be sterilized between patients to prevent cross-contamination. Sterilization kills all forms of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, which is essential for instruments that touch mucous membranes or enter sterile sites. Cleaning reduces debris and some microbes but doesn’t guarantee all life is eliminated, and disinfection, while useful, may not achieve the level needed for critical items. Calibration concerns measurement accuracy, not sterility, and inspection focuses on function and condition, not sterility. So, X-ray instruments should always be sterilized.

Infection control is the key here: items that contact patient tissues must be sterilized between patients to prevent cross-contamination. Sterilization kills all forms of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, which is essential for instruments that touch mucous membranes or enter sterile sites. Cleaning reduces debris and some microbes but doesn’t guarantee all life is eliminated, and disinfection, while useful, may not achieve the level needed for critical items. Calibration concerns measurement accuracy, not sterility, and inspection focuses on function and condition, not sterility. So, X-ray instruments should always be sterilized.