A dental consultant reviewing infection control protocols notices staff are reprocessing heat-sensitive instruments using only high-level disinfection rather than sterilization. What is the correct standard?
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A
High-level disinfection is acceptable for semi-critical items
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B
All instruments that penetrate soft tissue must be sterilized
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C
Chemical vapor sterilization is the only acceptable method
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D
Heat-sensitive instruments may be used without reprocessing if single-use packaging is intact