Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Practice Question

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sanitizing is appropriate for equipment that comes into contact with intact skin, as it reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level. The ophthalmoscope, used for examining the eyes, typically only touches the skin around the eyes and does not penetrate mucous membranes, making sanitization sufficient.

In contrast, vaginal specula (A) and laryngoscopes (B) come into contact with mucous membranes and require sterilization to eliminate all pathogens. Nasal specula (C) also contact mucous membranes, necessitating disinfection or sterilization. Thus, the ophthalmoscope is the only item that can be sanitized effectively.