What should be done if the sterility of an item is questioned?

When the sterility of an item is questioned, reprocessing the item before use is the appropriate action to ensure safety and compliance with health standards. Reprocessing involves cleaning, sterilizing, and possibly validating the item's sterility to eliminate any doubts about its adequacy for use in a clinical setting. This step is crucial because using an item that is uncertain in sterility could lead to infection or compromise patient safety.

Reprocessing allows for a thorough evaluation of the item, which may include checking for any visible contaminants and ensuring that it has gone through the proper sterilization cycle. This not only mitigates the risk of infection but also adheres to best practices and protocols governing sterile items.

The other options present compromised protocols. Using an item despite concerns about its sterility, discarding it immediately without a proper assessment, or simply storing it for further testing may lead to inadequate handling of potentially contaminated items, which poses a significant risk. Proper procedures must be followed to ensure items are safe for patient care.