Which of the following is considered a semi-critical item?

A semi-critical item is defined as a tool or device that comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but does not penetrate tissues. These items must undergo high-level disinfection if they are reused. In the context of electrolysis, electrolysis probes are directly inserted into the hair follicle and come into contact with the skin, specifically the mucous membranes, making them semi-critical. Proper sterilization or high-level disinfection is crucial for these items to prevent the risk of infection or contamination, particularly since they come into close contact with sensitive areas of the body.

In contrast, scissors, while they may be used in treatments, are considered non-critical items as they do not touch mucous membranes and typically require only cleaning and low-level disinfection. Face towels, being consumable items that come into contact with intact skin, fall into the category of non-critical items as well. Disposable gloves are protective barriers meant to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and are classified as non-critical because they are typically single-use and discarded after one use.