The CST should recognize a bedpan as which category of patient care items?

A bedpan is classified as a non-critical patient care item. Non-critical items are those that come into contact with intact skin but do not penetrate bodily tissues or produce significant risk of infection. The rationale behind this classification is that while bedpans should be cleaned and disinfected properly after each use to prevent cross-contamination, they are not as high-risk as items that contact mucous membranes or sterile tissues.

In contrast, semi-critical items, such as flexible endoscopes, are those that touch mucous membranes or non-intact skin and thus require high-level disinfection. Critical items are those that enter sterile body tissues or the vascular system, necessitating sterilization. Invasive items are any devices that penetrate the skin or enter a sterile body cavity, also requiring strict adherence to sterilization protocols. Given this understanding, recognizing a bedpan as a non-critical item aligns with its use and the necessary cleaning protocols.