A dental hygienist who activates a light source during a bleaching procedure is performing which type of task?

A dental hygienist activating a light source during a bleaching procedure is considered to be performing a remediable task. This is because the action involves using equipment or technology to assist in a procedure that can be adjusted or reversed if necessary.

Remediable tasks are those that can be amended or corrected without causing lasting harm to the patient. In the context of dental hygiene, activating a light source is a part of the procedural steps that enhance the efficacy of the bleaching process, but if adjustments are needed, these can typically be made without significant risk or complication.

In contrast, an administration task typically involves non-clinical duties related to management or organization rather than direct patient care. Irremediable tasks are those that, once performed, cannot be undone or that may cause lasting changes, which is not the case here. Surgical tasks involve invasive procedures that require higher levels of training and are outside the scope of a hygienist's responsibilities during a bleaching procedure. Thus, the choice that aligns with the nature of activating a light source in this setting is clearly a remediable task.