What is the recommended approach for equipment that cannot be disposed after each use?

• A. Reuse without sterilization.
• B. Share between clients.
• C. Store in a drawer.
• D. Use sterilizable equipment with proper sanitation between clients; avoid sharing items that contact blood.

Answer: (D)

Equipment that can’t be disposed after each use must be handled with strict infection control to prevent cross-contamination. The safest approach is to use sterilizable instruments that are thoroughly cleaned and then sterilized between clients, and to avoid sharing any item that contacts blood or body fluids. Sterilization, typically by autoclaving, eliminates all microorganisms, including spores, providing the highest level of safety between clients. Cleaning alone reduces the microbial load but does not guarantee complete elimination, so it isn’t sufficient for reusable tools that contact blood. Storing unprocessed instruments in a drawer or reusing them without proper sterilization would risk transmitting infections.