Spaulding classification of critical items

CRCST practice question · Cleaning, Decontamination & Disinfection

According to the Spaulding classification, a device that enters sterile tissue or the vascular system is classified as:

  • A. Semicritical, requiring high-level disinfection
  • B. Noncritical, requiring low-level disinfection
  • C. Critical, requiring sterilization
  • D. Semicritical, requiring intermediate-level disinfection

Answer

C. Critical, requiring sterilization

Spaulding classifies devices by infection risk based on how they contact the body. Items that enter sterile tissue or the bloodstream are critical and must be sterile. Semicritical items contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin and require at least high-level disinfection.

Ready for the full CRCST question bank?

Unlock every question, full-length timed mock exams and topic-by-topic progress tracking.

See plans