Sterile Field

Question 1

Sterile technique

Answer 1

Sterile aspects

Procedure used by medical staff to prevent the spread of infection

Question 2

Principles of sterile technique

Answer 2

1. Sterile objects only remain sterile when it touches another sterile object
2. Only sterile objects can be placed on a sterile field
3. Anything on the sterile field out of your filed of vision or below waist level is considered contaminated
4. Prolonged exposure increases the ris for ctonaiminaton of the sterile field
5. when a sterile surface encounters mosisture, that area is considered contaminated
6. Fluid flows in the direction of gravity
7. One inch around the sterile field is contaminated

Question 3

Sterile drape

Answer 3

• used to cover the work station
• should be inspected before opening
• once in place they should not be moved or shifted

Question 4

Sterile instruments

Answer 4

• all instruments placed on the sterile field should be examined
• sterile indicators should indicate the package is sterile. Indicators are not he outside and inside of the package, both must be changed, sterile instruments have a 6m shelf life from date of sterilization

Question 5

What color is the marker if the instruments have been sterilized

Answer 5

Green

Question 6

Sterile solutions

Answer 6

• if a small drop of sterile saline falls onto the field the surrounding area is still considered sterile
• if sterile saline is spilled over entire filled, it is not considered sterile
• when fluid permeates a sterile field this is called a strike through
• pouring fluid 4-6 inches about the sterile field

Question 7

Hands and objects

Answer 7

• anything below the waits is contaminated
• hands should be in a clasped position above waist when not used
• non sterile devices hsould be kept at last 24 inches from the sterile field
• the outer 1” of the sterile drape is non sterile
• fluid flows in the direction of gravity

Question 8

Movement ins the sterile field

Answer 8

• always face the sterile field
• the surgical tech should not leave the sterile field unless absolutely necessary
• after 15-20m you should consider the sterile field as becoming contaminated

Movement
-the surgical team should always face each other when moving in the surgical room

Question 9

Surgical personell

Answer 9

• must have on a mask and hat
• scrub in with an approved hand washing technique before putting on sterile gloves
• properly don gloves

Question 10

Responsibility of surgical team

Answer 10

• everyone needs to be on the same page
• sterile technique should be consistent
• the sterile field must always be monitored

Question 11

Preparation of the patient

Answer 11

• should have their hair in a bouffant
• surgical site must be marked, cleaned, prepped, and draped
• sign in, time out, and sign out should be performed

Question 12

Sign in

Answer 12

Completed before the induction of anesthesia

Question 13

Time out

Answer 13

Completed before the first incision

Final time to ID the patient, procedure, and site invovled

Question 14

Sign out

Answer 14

Prior to the key members of the operating team leaving the operating room

Question 15

Used instruments

Answer 15

Should be placed into a designated place to be cleaned and sterilized

• all visible tissue/bodily fluids must be removed
• sharps-sharps container

Question 16

Biohazard waste

Answer 16

• potential infectious materials (OPIM)
• human bodily fluids
• plastic vaginal speculum, used speciem swabs, used glucose test strips, urine dipsticks, blood soaked drapes and gloves, and anything contaminated with OPIM in a red bag

Question 17

Human bodily fluids

Answer 17

Semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid,
peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva that contains blood, any bodily fluid that is visibly
contaminated with blood, and all bodily fluids where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate
between bodily fluid

Question 18

Cleaning and disposal of biohazard

Answer 18

-Check integrity of red bag before lining it
– Seal the red bag after removing it
– Wear personal protective equipment (gloves, apron, face mask, eye protection) when
handling, changing, or transporting red bags

Question 19

Autoclave

Answer 19

– Any item unable to be autoclaved must be wiped down by an approved surgical
cleaning product – Pressure chamber that creates powerful steam to kill germs