Which of the following items does not need to be disinfected?

Bed boards do not typically require disinfection because they are not considered surfaces that come into direct contact with bodily fluids or infectious materials. They are often used to support the mattress and provide a foundation for the patient to rest upon. While it is important to keep all surfaces clean, bed boards are usually maintained with regular cleaning rather than the stringent disinfection protocols applied to items that have a higher risk of contamination, such as surgical instruments, patient bedding, and IV poles.

Surgical instruments, for example, come into direct contact with tissues and fluids during procedures, making proper disinfection critical to prevent infections. Similarly, patient bedding can be contaminated with bodily fluids and requires careful disinfection to maintain a safe environment for patients. IV poles, used to support intravenous lines, also need to be disinfected, as they may come into contact with contaminated intravenous fluids. Hence, bed boards stand out as an item that does not need the same level of disinfecting care as the others listed.