Approach to the OR

Question 1

what is the term for the ethical awareness of adhering to strict aseptic/sterile techniques?

Answer 1

surgical conscious

Question 2

what is the ultimate goal of surgical conscious?

Answer 2

patient safety

Question 3

what are the three steps to prepping the surgical site?

Answer 3

1) surgical site cleaning (ETOH/hibiclens)
2) primary scrub (chloraprep, duraprep, iodine)
3) secondary scrub (do it again)

Question 4

how long must you wait following the secondary scrub to drape the patient?

Answer 4

3 minutes

Question 5

what is the “time out” portion of the intraoperative time period?

Answer 5

confirm name, procedure, site, side, any antibiotics, and appropriate equipment (c-arm, implants, trays) with your team

done AFTER draping patient, right before surgery

Question 6

extubation and anesthesia referral is considered an intraoperative or postoperative procedure?

Answer 6

postoperative

Question 7

what is the difference between sterile and aseptic?

Answer 7

sterile = free from all living organisms, including microorganisms

aseptic = free from germs that cause disease

Question 8

what is the primary goal of aseptic technique?

Answer 8

protect the patient by preventing or minimizing post-operative infection by creating conditions to prevent the introduction of microbe contamination in the sterile field or operative suite

Question 9

drapes are only considered sterile at the level of what?

Answer 9

at level of the table

the table edge is the demarcation line; below is unsterile

Question 10

all packaging of sterile products must be observed for these 3 things?

Answer 10

tears, fluids, and chemical indicators

Question 11

once a bottle of saline is opened and a portion is dispensed, can you use the remainder of the bottle on the next patient?

Answer 11

NO; the remainder of the bottle is considered contaminated

Question 12

when you’re not in the OR, what must you wear over your scrubs?

Answer 12

lab coat

Question 13

is a cloth cap or a bouffant head cover more recommended as hair protection?

Answer 13

bouffant

if cloth cap – must be laundered daily by hospital service

Question 14

im not making any handwashing cards

Answer 14

use your brain

Question 15

are you considered “sterile” after scrubbing?

Answer 15

NO

Question 16

is scrubbing past 10 minutes considered more effective according to studies performed on the “timed method” of scrubbing in?

Answer 16

no!

long scrubs may actually decrease effectiveness; stick to 2-6 minutes

Question 17

if you have very sensitive skin, what scrubbing technique might work best for you?

Answer 17

brushless method

using ETOH/chlorhexadine gluconate solution

Question 18

what are the 3 advantages to using the brushless method?

Answer 18

1) decreased skin irritation
2) decreased skin flora shedding
3) quicker

Question 19

is the purpose of the cleansing agents we use when scrubbing in to eliminate or to minimize microbes on skin?

Answer 19

minimize

we can’t completely eliminate anything

Question 20

we want our cleansing agents to have _______ activity and to be ________

Answer 20

prolonged activity

fast acting

Question 21

is there one cleansing solution or technique for scrubbing in that is better than the other?

Answer 21

nope

Question 22

when you are rinsing off, you should rinse water from _____ to ______

Answer 22

fingers to elbows

want those finger tips the cleanest; hands should be elevated so water can run down arms to elbow

Question 23

according to the CDC, if you use an alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product, should you pre-wash your hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap before?

Answer 23

NO

pre-wash hands and forearms with a NON-antimicrobial soap

Question 24

who is in charge of the OR and is held responsible for adherence to OR protocols?

Answer 24

the RN

Question 25

who is in charge of the operating table?

Answer 25

the scrub tech

Question 26

you should always _______ to the table

Answer 26

belly up