Sterile Technique

Question 1

A sterile barrier that has been permeated must be considered…

Answer 1

contaminated

Question 2

Gowns are considered sterile from where to where?

Answer 2

Gowns are considered sterile in front from shoulder to waist level, and sleeves from cuff to 2 inches above elbow

Question 3

Tables are sterile at…

Answer 3

table level ONLY.

Question 4

Who touches sterile areas?

Answer 4

Sterile persons and items ONLY!

Question 5

Movement within or around the sterile field must not

Answer 5

contaminate the field

Question 6

All items doubtful of sterility are considered…

Answer 6

contaminated

Question 7

Hand scrub solutions are either

Answer 7

Chlorhexidine gluconate or

povidone-iodine (betadine) solutions

Question 8

Chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine (betadine) solutions are

Answer 8

Rapid acting, broad spectrum antimicrobials that are effective against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms

Question 9

Scrub brushes are impregnanted with

Answer 9

chlorhexidine or betadine solution.

Question 10

Preparation of the procedure site includes:

Answer 10

Use disposable razor to remove hair from the procedure site

Use sterile towels

Antiseptic soap (betadine or chlorhexadine)

Gauze sponges

Large clamp or ring forcep to hold the preparation sponge or gauze

Scrub skin with antiseptic solution, starting at procedure site and working out in a circular fashion- toward periphery of field

Discard sponge when reaching the periphery (repeat 3-4 times)

Question 11

Drapes for the patient for preparation are

Answer 11

Typically green, blue, or gray

Towels, sheets, split sheets, fenestrated sheets, stockinette, and plastic incision drapes

Question 12

Draping for the patient for the procedure are

Answer 12

Hold drapes high to avoid touching non-sterile areas

Walk around table to drape opposite side (no reaching!)

Handle drapes minimally (don’t shake out wrinkles)

Cuff the end of the drapes

Place a second drape on top if hole is found

Do not adjust drapes after placed

Question 13

Stockinettes are for

Answer 13

the extremities.

Usually used in orthopedics.

Question 14

Who are the 2 people required in the room besides the surgeon, assistant, and anesthesia

Answer 14

Sterile surgical tech (or RN) and circulating RN

Question 15

What do the Sterile surgical tech (or RN) and circulating RN do?

Answer 15

Pass sterile instruments onto the field.

Question 16

When is contamination addressed?

Answer 16

IMMEDIATELY!!

Question 17

Unsterile people must be at least __________ away from any area which is sterile.

Answer 17

12 inches

Question 18

What do you do if your sterile hand hits the IV pole when draping?

Answer 18

Tell the circulating nurse and get another glove!

Question 19

How long does the field remain sterile?

Answer 19

Until the last suture or staple is placed and the wound is covered.

Question 20

1983- Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals (CDC) state what?

Answer 20

“Blood and Body Fluid Precautions”

Called for blood and body fluid precautions when a patient was known or suspected to be infected with bloodborne pathogens

Question 21

1987- Recommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health-Care Settings (CDC) state what?

Answer 21

Recommended that blood and body fluid precautions be consistently used for all patients regardless of their bloodborne infection status (contrast to the 1983 guidelines)

Question 22

Universal Precautions state what?

Answer 22

blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens

Question 23

Body Substance Isolation requires

Answer 23

the application of clean gloves prior to patient contact with mucous membranes or nonintact skin, and to wear gloves if a likelihood existed of contact with any moist body substances (regardless of patient infection status)

Apron (gown) or other barrier is also to be worn to keep your own body and skin clean

Recommendation of certain immunizations to prevent airborne diseases (rubella, varicella, etc…)

Mask to be worn when taking care of patients with pulmonary TB, immunocompromised state, or other severely infectious lung diseases

Goggles, glasses, hair covers, and shoe covers to be worn when the risk of coming in contact with patient bodily fluids

Question 24

Keep trash and soiled linen from patients in bags and disposed in the proper containers which are?

Answer 24

RED biohazard bags

Question 25

Objectives of the CDC’s revised 1996 guidelines…

Answer 25

To be epidemiologically sound

To recognize the importance of all body fluids, secretions, and excretions in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens

To contain adequate precautions for infections transmitted by the airborne, droplet, and contact routes of transmission

To be as simple and user friendly as possible

To use new terms to avoid confusion with existing infection control and isolation systems

Question 26

The CDC’s revised guidelines were designed to:

Answer 26

supersede universal precautions and body substance isolation

Question 27

Standard precautions combine…

Answer 27

the major features of Universal Precautions (UP) and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and are based on the principle that ALL blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents

Question 28

Standard precautions include a group of infection prevention practices that inlcude:

Answer 28

all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which healthcare is delivered

Question 29

What safety precautions are included for standard precautions?

Answer 29

Hand hygiene; use of gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, or face shield, depending on the anticipated exposure; and safe injection practices.

Question 30

When do you wash your hands?

Answer 30

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating food

Before and after caring for someone who is sick

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After using the toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

After handling pet food or pet treats

After touching garbage

Question 31

How do you wash your hands?

Answer 31

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Question 32

How do you use hand sanitizers?

Answer 32

Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).

Rub your hands together.

Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Question 33

What is the sterile technique?

Answer 33

Method by which contamination with microorganisms is prevented

Procedures should be performed within a sterile field from which all living microbes have been excluded

ALL items entering the sterile field MUST be sterile!

Question 34

What are the principles of the sterile technique?

Answer 34

All items used within a sterile field must be sterile

A sterile barrier that has been permeated must be considered contaminated

Gowns are considered sterile in front from shoulder to waist level, and sleeves from cuff to 2 inches above elbow

Tables are sterile at table level ONLY

Sterile persons and items touch only sterile areas; unsterile persons and items touch only unsterile areas

Movement within or around a sterile field must not contaminate the field

All items and areas of doubtful sterility are considered contaminated

Question 35

The gown is sterile from:

Answer 35

chest to waist.

Question 36

Gown sleeves are sterile from

Answer 36

cuff to 2 inches above elbow.

Question 37

Where do you keep your hands after gowning?

Answer 37

Keep hands at chest level unless placed on the patient or OR table.