Which of the following should not be done when preparing instruments for sterilization?

Using instruments that are dirty is critical to avoid when preparing instruments for sterilization because any contaminants—such as blood, tissue, or other debris—can interfere with the sterilization process and lead to the potential risk of infection. For effective sterilization to occur, instruments must be thoroughly cleaned prior to packaging and sterilization.

Instruments that are not clean may harbor microorganisms or organic matter, which can withstand the sterilization process, leading to unsafe conditions if these instruments were to be used on patients. Therefore, ensuring that only clean instruments proceed to the next steps, including organization, packaging, and sterilization, is essential for maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of sterile processing.