Between patients, what must be disinfected when exposing radiographic images?

• A. Lead apron
• B. Control panel
• C. Receptor holder
• D. Room floor

Answer: (C)

When exposing radiographs, anything that may carry saliva or other infectious material from one patient to the next must be treated to prevent cross-contamination. The receptor holder is the part that goes into the patient’s mouth and comes into direct contact with saliva and the imaging receptor. Because you’re often dealing with a reusable instrument, sterilization isn’t practical between patients, so it’s disinfected between patients or covered with a disposable barrier that is discarded after each patient. This direct contact with the patient’s oral fluids makes the receptor holder the item that must be disinfected between patients to maintain proper infection control. Other high-touch items, like the control panel, are typically disinfected or barrier-protected as well, but the receptor holder is the most immediate conduit for contaminant transfer during imaging.