After sanitization, some instruments and equipment require only ________ before being used again. For other items, this is merely the second step in infection control, performed before the process of sterilization.

Sanitization

The process of cleaning and disinfecting a surface or environment to reduce the quantity of pathogens to safe levels.

Sterilization

A method of killing or removing all forms of life, including microorganisms, from a surface, fluid, or medication.