What is the primary risk associated with reuse of suction devices if not properly cleaned?

• A. Cross-contamination and infection transmission.
• B. Loss of suction power.
• C. Electrical shock.
• D. Increased noise.

Answer: (A)

When suction devices are reused without proper cleaning, the main risk is transferring infectious material from one patient to another. These devices have internal channels that can trap fluids and secretions; if they aren’t properly cleaned and sterilized between uses, bacteria, viruses, or spores can remain and be introduced to the next patient, causing cross-contamination and possible infection. Cleaning and appropriate disinfection or sterilization remove the bioburden and break that transmission pathway. While issues like loss of suction, electrical hazards, or excessive noise can occur for other reasons, they do not pose the same patient-safety risk as the potential spread of infection when reusing inadequately cleaned suction equipment.