What best describes the difference between sterile technique and clean technique in clinical care?

• A. Sterile technique is free of pathogens but not guaranteed sterile; clean technique is free of all microorganisms.
• B. Clean technique is free of all microorganisms.
• C. Sterile technique is free of all microorganisms; clean technique is free of pathogens but not guaranteed sterile.
• D. Sterile technique is used only for routine care.

Answer: (C)