Exam #5: Principles of Asepsis Flashcards
What is the purpose of maintaining positive-pressure air flow within the OR suite?
Because the higher pressure than the outside the OR forces microbes out
What is a systemic method of organizing one’s thoughts & activities, enabling one to make appropriate decision?
Critical Thinking
What are risks that influence surgical site infection (SSI)?
- Obesity
- Age
- Remote Infections
What are methods of monitoring for steam sterilization Process?
- Mechanical
- Chemical
- Biological
What is the basis for the practice of strict sterile technique?
Surgical Conscience
SHORT ANSWER
What is surgical conscience, and what does it mean to you?
The honesty & moral integrity to uphold strict sterile technique. The surgical tech must recognize & correct breaks in sterile technique whether committed in the presence of other or alone.
What are options for correcting breaks in sterile technique?
- Ignore it
- Replace it
- Cover it
What isolates and protects the operative site from contaminants?
Drape
What should be done to reusable instruments used on a case with a prion infection?
All should be destroyed
* SHORT ANSWER*
Should sterile drapes be remove or not removed?
It is not possible to remove sterile drapes & know for sure nothing was contaminated. Additionally, the sterile items would have to be pushed through a sub sterile environment in order to get into the next room so NEVER cover the sterile field with a drape.
What distance should tables be set up as part of the sterile field from the wall?
12-18 Inches
When would the 1-2” perimeter around the outside edge of the wrapping apply?
- When opening a Foley catheter tray on a prep stand
- When performing the open glove technique from the mayo stand
- When opening the surgical gown wrapper on the mayo stand
When would the 1-2” perimeter around the outside edge of the wrapping not apply?
When the custom pack is properly opened onto the back table
The surgical gown is considered sterile from the ___ in front and ___ inches ______ to the _____ on the sleeves.
- Mid-chest line
- 2 inches
- PROXIMAL
- Elbows
The arms ________ be folded with the hands in the _____region. This region is considered _______ because it ____ be viewed by the wearer and because of __________ contamination.
- Should not
- Axillary
- ContaminatedCannot
- Strike-through
Why is the back of the gown considered contaminated?
Because it cannot be viewed by the wearer.
What of the surgical gown, are considered non sterile & should be covered by the cuff of the glove?
Stockinette cuffs
Sterile team members should pass each other:
face to face
back to back
Talking should be kept to a minimum to prevent contamination from?
Airborne moisture droplets
What is the primary source of airborne bacteria in the OR?
Surgical Team
What should be set up at the head of the operating room bed?
Anesthesia Machine
Sterile items and individuals may:
Contact sterile items
Once a sterile field is open everyone in the room must?
Wear a mask
Where should the sterile field be established?
Farthest from the door
If back table packs contain disposable drapes, supplies, sutures, blades and items necessary for SPECIFIC PROCEDURES are called?
Custom packs
Ideally where should the STSR start with to open supplies on? Then they open from where in the room and work outward toward the periphery?
- Ideally they start with the largest sterile area to open supplies on.
- They open from the center of the room and work outward toward the periphery.
When should be checked to see if there is a break in the integrity of the drape?
IMMEDIATELY following opening a hard object on the back table drape
What is the order of technique for opening sterile basin sets?
- Verify exposure to a sterilization process
- Tear sealing tape
- Open first flap away from you
- Open side flaps
5Pull flap closest to you body towards you
What is the preferred method to open a peel pack?
- Visually inspect the package
- Slowly peel back the outer wrapper
- Gently toss the item on a protected area of the back table or basin
What are advantages of the rigid container system includes?
- Easy to store
2. Hard to damage integrity
Who developed the “germ theory”?
Louis Pasteur
What is used when microbes cannot be stained?
Dark field microscope
What is the “Powerhouse” of the cell?
Mitochondria
What is movement of a solvent (i.e water) through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to a low concentration?
Osmosis
What is the movement of particles out of a cell?
Exocytosis
What are spherical bacteria arranged in CHAINS?
Streptococci
What are spherical bacteria arranged in CLUSTERS?
Staphylococci
What is any microbe capable of causing a disease?
Pathogen
What are microbes that reside on the skin surface and are easily removed?
Transient Flora
What is a substance used on living tissue to inhibit the growth of microbes, thus preventing infections?
Antiseptic
What is an inanimate object that harbors microorganisms?
Fomite
What is a living carrier that transmits disease?
Vector
SHORT ANSWER
What is Flora?
Bacteria and other microorganisms that normally inhabit a bodily organ or part, ex intestinal flora
SHORT ANSWER
What is Sepsis?
The spread of an infection from it’s initial site to the blood stream initiating a systemic response that adversely affects blood flow to vital organs.
SHORT ANSWER
In the OR, a surgical tech is exposed to the following viruses: . In order to limit exposure they should
- Hepatitis B & C *HIV *HPV
1. Wear PPE at all times when blood is present
2. Follow hospital policy and standard precautions
3. Be vaccinated
4. Follow up on exposure incident reports if an accident such as a needle stick occurs
SHORT ANSWER
What is a host?
The larger of 2 organisms in a symbiotic relationship, or an organism or cell on OR in which a parasite lives or feeds.
