Asepsis and Specimen Collection

Question 1

define aseptic technique

Answer 1

keep areas/objects as free from microorganisms as possible

Question 2

define medical asepsis and give examples

Answer 2

procedures used to decrease and prevent the spread of microorganisms ex. hand hygiene, clean gloves, cleaning environment routinely

Question 3

define surgical asepsis and give example

Answer 3

procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms, including spores from an object or area ex. surgical hand scrub

Question 4

for sterile gloving, which hand do you insert first?

Answer 4

dominant hand

Question 5

define asepsis

Answer 5

process for keeping away disease producing microorganisms

Question 6

how much urine do you want to withdraw for a culture?

Answer 6

3mL

Question 7

how much urine do you want to withdraw for a routine urinalysis?

Answer 7

20mL

Question 8

where can urine not be obtained when collecting urine from a catheter?

Answer 8

cannot be obtained from a drainage bag

Question 9

how long must the catheter be clamped in order to obtain a urine specimen? why?

Answer 9

10-15 min and to allow fresh sterile urine

Question 10

why is urine not able to be collected from a drainage bag?

Answer 10

because it is not considered sterile

Question 11

how long do you clean port for when about to take urine sample?

Answer 11

15 seconds with alcohol swab and allow to dry

Question 12

how much urine do you want to collect from an in-dwelling catheter?

Answer 12

3-10mL

Question 13

what are the principles of surgical asepsis? (7)

Answer 13

1. a sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object (sterile touching clean is contaminated)
2. only sterile objects may be placed on sterile field
3. contaminated if sterile object is below waist or out of vision
4. a sterile object becomes contaminated by prolonged exposure to air (therefore no talking, laughing, sneezing, coughing over sterile field or when gathering equipment)
5. sterile object is contaminated if in contact with wet surface
6. fluid flows in direction of gravity
7. edges of sterile field/container are considered contaminated (2.5cm border around drape is contaminated) objects must be within border to not be contaminated

Question 14

when does a nurse take a throat swab?

Answer 14

• Before antibiotics start. If Ab are already started, then make sure to note in the lab sheet
• Take hour before or after eating

Question 15

How does the nurse take the throat swab?

Answer 15

Take from the back, tonsillar area, don’t touch teeth, lips tongue, etc. side to side without touching oral structures.

Question 16

Steps in donning sterile gloves?

Answer 16

• Choose the right size
• Dominant hand first
• Make sure not to touch the sterile areas with non sterile item
• Using dominant gloved hand put other glove on
• After both hands donned can adjust wrists, etc
• Interlock hands above waist until ready to proceed