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Flexible endoscopes, including gastrointestinal instruments, require high-level disinfection before reuse due to the potential risk of transmitting infections. These instruments come into contact with mucous membranes and can harbor pathogens that, if not properly disinfected, can lead to serious health consequences for patients. High-level disinfection effectively reduces the number of viable microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, to levels that are not considered to pose a risk of infection.

In contrast, while rigid endoscopes may also require disinfection, the level of reprocessing may not always involve high-level disinfection unless specified by the manufacturer's guidelines or if the rigid endoscope has been used in a manner that exposes it to contaminants. The response to the specific context of their use and design plays a crucial role.

High-level disinfection is critical in settings where flexible endoscopes are widely used, such as in gastrointestinal procedures, making option B the appropriate choice. These protocols aim to ensure patient safety and compliance with infection control standards within healthcare environments.