Which of the following pieces of equipment fall into the non-critical Spaulding category?

The non-critical category in the Spaulding classification system refers to items that come into contact only with intact skin and pose a lower risk of infection transmission. Non-critical items typically require cleaning and sanitation but may not need high-level disinfection or sterilization.

A blood pressure (B/P) cuff is considered a non-critical item because it touches only the outer skin and does not penetrate or contact mucous membranes or sterile tissues. This limited contact indicates that the risk of transferring pathogens is lower compared to critical or semi-critical items.

On the other hand, surgical instruments, endoscopes, and scalpels fall into different categories due to their contact with sterile body areas or mucous membranes, which necessitates a more stringent level of disinfection or sterilization to prevent infection. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective infection control practices in healthcare settings.