Spaulding Classification — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyMicrobiologySpaulding ClassificationMFDS Part 1

Under Spaulding's classification, which category of reusable patient-care item has sterilisation as the minimum required decontamination level before reuse?

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Correct answer: E — Critical items only

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · D = shown as B · E = shown as C · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

The correct answer is **A: Critical items only**. Critical items enter normally sterile tissue or the vascular system, so contamination presents a high infection risk; they must therefore be cleaned and sterilised before reuse. Semi-critical items contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin without ordinarily penetrating sterile tissue. Under the Spaulding framework, high-level disinfection is their minimum requirement, although sterilisation is preferred when the item is compatible and is routinely used for many reusable dental instruments. Non-critical items contact intact skin and generally require cleaning with low-level disinfection where indicated. Options D and E are therefore incorrect because they imply that sterilisation is the mandatory minimum for semi-critical items.

Reference: NHS Scotland Assure, Equipment Decontamination Combined Evidence Tables, Spaulding classification evidence summary, pp. 71–72, 26 March 2026. https://www.nipcm.scot.nhs.uk/media/2581/2026-03-26-equipment-review-combined-ets-v10.pdf