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Nursing 20G- Infection Control > Infection control: Surgical Asepsis > Flashcards

Infection control: Surgical Asepsis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the key principle regarding sterile objects in surgical asepsis?

A
  • A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object
  • This guides how nurses place and handle sterile objects
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2
Q

What happens when sterile objects touch sterile objects?

A
  • They remain sterile
  • Examples: Sterile gloves, forceps used on sterile field
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3
Q

What happens when a sterile object touches a clean (non-sterile) object?

A
  • The sterile object becomes contaminated
  • Example: Sterile syringe tip touching clean disposable glove
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4
Q

What is the objective of surgical asepsis or aseptic technique?

A
  • Prevent microorganisms from being introduced to a susceptible site
  • Prevent transmission of microorganisms to other patients or staff
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5
Q

What should be done to prepare for a sterile procedure?

A
  • Gather all required supplies
  • Ensure a clear and dry field
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6
Q

How should movement around a sterile field be done?

A
  • In a manner that does not contaminate the sterile field
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7
Q

When should sterile fields be prepared?

A
  • As close to time of use as possible to minimize environmental contamination
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8
Q

What should be minimized in a sterile field?

A
  • Conversation to reduce contamination from respiratory droplets
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9
Q

What should be done prior to setting up a sterile field?

A
  • Perform hand hygiene
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10
Q

How should the sterile barrier be checked?

A
  • Ensure it is intact with no punctures or moisture damage
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11
Q

ow should questionable sterility be handled?

A
  • The item must be considered unsterile
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12
Q

How should sterile packs be opened?

A
  • Carefully to prevent contamination of contents
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13
Q

What is required for items in a sterile field?

A
  • All items must be sterile
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14
Q

What area is considered unsterile once a package is opened?

A
  • A 2.5 cm border around the edges
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15
Q

How should solutions be poured into sterile receptacles?

A
  • Slowly to avoid splashing and contamination
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16
Q

When is an object considered no longer sterile?

A
  • If below waist level or out of vision range
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17
Q

Why should sterile gloves be worn?

A
  • Prevent introducing microorganisms to site
  • Protect wearer from body fluids
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18
Q

What happens when a sterile object touches a contaminated object?

A
  • The sterile object becomes contaminated
  • Example: Touching a sterile object with an ungloved hand
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19
Q

How should questionable sterile objects be handled?

A
  • Considered contaminated and discarded
  • Example: Torn/broken packaging, even if object appears untouched
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20
Q

What can be placed on a sterile field?

A
  • Only properly sterilized objects
  • Stored in clean, dry areas with intact packaging
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21
Q

When is a sterile object or field considered contaminated?

A
  • Out of nurse’s vision range
  • Held below waist level
  • Unattended and could be accidentally touched
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22
Q

How does prolonged air exposure contaminate sterile objects/fields?

A
  • Air currents from movements can carry microorganisms
  • Talking/coughing/sneezing over sterile area
  • Reaching over sterile area
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23
Q

How does contact with a wet, contaminated surface affect sterility?

A
  • Sterile object/field becomes contaminated by capillary action
  • If moisture seeps through sterile packaging, object is contaminated
  • Wet sterile packages must be discarded or re-sterilized
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24
Q

How can spills contaminate a sterile field?

A
  • Any spill can contaminate unless field rests on moisture-proof sterile surface
  • Example: Spill in sterile catheter tray container won’t contaminate contents
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25
Q

When is a sterile object at risk of gravity contamination?

A
  • If gravity causes a contaminated liquid to flow over object’s surface
  • Hands held above elbows during scrub to prevent this
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26
Q

What areas of a sterile field are considered contaminated?

A
  • 2.5 cm border around edges where field touches unsterile surface
  • Open container edges exposed to air
  • Sterile objects must avoid touching these areas
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27
Q

What should be done before starting a sterile procedure?

A
  • Have extra supplies available in case of accidental contamination
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28
Q

Why should each step be explained before the procedure?

A
  • To ensure patient can cooperate fully
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29
Q

What should be done if an object becomes contaminated during the procedure?

A
  • Discard the contaminated object immediately
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30
Q

What protective equipment may nurses wear for sterile procedures on a general nursing unit?

A
  • Surgical mask
  • Eyewear (if risk of fluid/blood splashing)
  • No cap required
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31
Q

For sterile surgical procedures, what is the proper order for donning protective equipment?

A
  • Apply clean cap covering all hair first
  • Then put on surgical mask
  • Then put on eyewear
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32
Q

How should the surgical mask fit?

A
  • Snugly around face and nose
  • To prevent droplet nuclei contamination
33
Q

When should a surgical mask be changed?

A
  • If it becomes moist, as moisture promotes microorganism spread
34
Q

How should protective eyewear fit?

A
  • Snugly around forehead and face
  • To fully protect eyes
35
Q

When is eyewear needed?

A
  • For procedures with risk of body fluid splashing into eyes
36
Q

What should be removed first before taking off mask, eyewear and cap?

A
  • Remove gloves first
  • To prevent contamination of hair, neck and face
37
Q

How should a used mask be removed and discarded?

A
  • Untie mask, hold by ties and discard with cap
  • Do not wear hanging from neck after removal
38
Q

What should be done after removing all protective equipment?

A
  • Perform hand hygiene
39
Q

How are sterile items packaged?

A
  • In paper or plastic containers impervious to microorganisms when dry and intact
  • Some reusable supplies wrapped in permeable paper/linen for steam autoclaving
40
Q

How are sterile items stored?

A
  • In clean, enclosed storage cabinets
  • Separated from non-sterile equipment
41
Q

What indicates an item has been sterilized?

A
  • Chemical tapes that change color during sterilization process
  • If tapes don’t change color, item is not sterile
42
Q

When should a sterile item not be used?

A
  • If packaging integrity is compromised
43
Q

How do facilities indicate expiration of sterile items?

A
  • “Event-related expiration” with date processed and lot number
  • “Date-related expiration” with expiration date applied
44
Q

What should be done before opening sterile packages?

A
  • Perform thorough hand hygiene
  • Inspect supplies for package integrity and sterility indicators
45
Q

Where should sterile packages be opened?

A
  • On a cleaned work area above waist level
  • Not in confined spaces where dirty objects could fall on them
46
Q

How should commercially packaged sterile items be opened?

A
  • Hold item in one hand, pull away paper/plastic cover with other hand
  • Take care to keep inner contents sterile before use
47
Q

What are the steps to open facility-packaged sterile items?

A
  • Place item flat in center of work surface
  • Remove sterilization tape/seal
  • Grasp and open outer flap away from body, arm outstretched
  • Open side flaps one at a time, allowing to lie flat
  • Stand away and open innermost flap, letting it fall flat
  • Use inner package surface as sterile field, avoiding 2.5cm border
48
Q

How can a sterile package be closed if not for immediate use?

A
  • Touch only outside wrapper surface
  • Reverse order of opening
  • Do not touch inner contents or reach over field
49
Q

How should a small sterile item be opened when held?

A
  • Hold package in non-dominant hand
  • Use dominant hand to carefully open side/top flaps away from item
  • Open so item can be handed to person with sterile gloves or transferred
50
Q

What is a sterile field?

A
  • An area free of microorganisms
  • Prepared to receive sterile items
  • Created using inner sterile wrapper surface, sterile drape, or dressing tray
51
Q

How are sterile items added to the field?

A
  • Carefully placed directly on field
  • Transferred using sterile forceps
  • Any contact with 2.5cm border requires discarding item
52
Q

What precautions are taken when wearing sterile gloves on the field?

A
  • Can touch entire drape area
  • Sterile items must be handed over by assistant
  • Gloves cannot touch wrappers of sterile items
53
Q

hat parts of a bottle containing sterile solution are considered sterile?

A
  • Inside of the bottle
  • Inside of the bottle cap
54
Q

How should the bottle cap be handled after removal?

A
  • Held in hand or placed sterile side up on clean surface
  • Never rested on sterile surface to avoid contamination
55
Q

What should be checked before pouring the solution?

A
  • Check label to ensure it is the correct solution
56
Q

How should the bottle be held when pouring?

A
  • Hold with label in palm to prevent wetting/fading
  • Keep bottle edge away from receiving container edge/inside
57
Q

How should the solution be poured?

A
  • Pour slowly to avoid splashing sterile field
  • Hold bottle outside edge of sterile field
58
Q

How many times can solution be poured from container?

A
  • Pour solution from container once only
  • Discard remaining fluids after procedure
59
Q

Why must nurses decontaminate their hands when working in operating rooms?

A
  • To decrease and suppress growth of skin microorganisms
  • In case glove tears during procedure
60
Q

What areas should be scrubbed during surgical hand antisepsis?

A
  • Scrub from fingertips to elbows with antiseptic soap
61
Q

What products can be used for surgical hand antisepsis?

A
  • Antimicrobial surgical scrub agent intended for surgical hand antisepsis
  • Alcohol-based antiseptic surgical hand rub with persistent/cumulative activity
62
Q

How long should a traditional surgical scrub last?

A
  • 3-5 minutes to allow adequate contact time
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions and facility policy
63
Q

What should be removed for maximum bacteria elimination?

A
  • All jewelry including watches
  • Keep nails clean and short
64
Q

What should not be worn on fingernails?

A
  • Artificial nails or enhancements as they harbor more bacteria
  • Nail polish as it conceals soil and chipped polish increases bacterial load
65
Q

Who should be excluded from the surgical team?

A
  • Nurses with active skin infections, open lesions/cuts
  • Nurses with respiratory infections
66
Q

What are sterile gloves used for?

A
  • An additional barrier to bacterial transfer
  • Used by nurses for procedures like dressing changes and catheter insertions
67
Q

What is open gloving?

A
  • Technique used by nurses on general nursing units
  • For procedures like dressing changes and catheter insertions
68
Q

What is closed gloving?

A
  • Performed after applying sterile gown in operating room
  • Used for surgical procedures
69
Q

How is the sterile drape opened?

A
  • Place pack on surface and open as shown in Figure 34.4
  • Ensures sterility of packaged drape
70
Q

How is the sterile drape lifted?

A
  • Use fingertips of one hand on 2.5cm unsterile border
  • Gently lift and unfold without touching objects
71
Q

How is the drape positioned on surface?

A
  • Hold adjacent corners up and away from body
  • First lay bottom half, then top half over surface
72
Q

What is the purpose of laying drape this way?

A
  • Prevents reaching over sterile field
  • Creates flat sterile work surface
73
Q

How should the sterile drape be positioned on the work surface?

A
  • First lay bottom half of drape over work surface
  • Then place top half of drape over work surface last
74
Q

How should sterile items be opened?

A
  • Open according to package directions
  • Hold outer wrapper in non-dominant hand
75
Q

How should wrapper be removed?

A
  • Carefully peel onto non-dominant hand
  • Do not shake item onto sterile field
76
Q

How should item be placed on field?

A
  • Place at an angle, not holding arm over field
  • Prevents contaminating sterile surface
77
Q

Why dispose of outer wrapper?

A
  • Prevents accidental contamination of sterile field
78
Q

Why use sterile technique?

A
  • Prevents transmission of infection to patient

Nursing 20G- Infection Control (14 decks)

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