Terms and Objectives

Question 1

Differentiate between surgical and medical asepsis

Answer 1

Medical asepsis- clean technique; eliminate as many pathogens as you can
Surgical asepsis- sterile technique; eliminate all pathogens

Question 2

5 methods of Sterilization

Answer 2

• Autoclaving
• Boiling
• Ionizing radiation
• Chemical disinfection
• Gaseous Disinfection

Question 3

Situations or areas where surgical asepsis should always be used

Answer 3

• Surgical suites
• Heart cath labs
• Delivery Rooms
• NICU
• Burn units
• Transplantation intensive care unit
• Oncology unit

Question 4

Guidelines for Using Sterile Technique

Answer 4

Sterile + sterile = sterile
Sterile+unsterile= contaminated
Unsterile+unsterile= contaminated

Question 5

Opening Sterile Supplies

Answer 5

• Check the expiration date for sterility
• Check the sterilization tape, if present, for color change,the hash marks should be dark
• Check the packaging for any holes or tears, which would render the contents unsterile

Question 6

Setting up the sterile field

Answer 6

• The outer 1 inch of the sterile drape is considered contaminated because you must touch it as you set it up. Do not touch any other area of the sterile drape with your bare hands.
• Anything below the surface of the draped table is considered unsterile because you can not see if it is touched by an unsterile surface
• All parts of the sterile drape below the table surface are considered unsterile because they can’t be kept in your line of sight
• Only sterile items can be placed on the sterile field
• If sterile field becomes damp or wet, it is no longer sterile. Exception is a drape that is backed with moisture-proof material

Question 7

Adding Items to the Sterile Field

Answer 7

• Add sterile items to the field by opening peel-apart packs and dropping the item on to the field, staying away from the contaminated 1 inch outer border. Do not allow item to touch the edges of a package.
• Add sterile liquids to a basin in a sterile by holding the bottle so that the label is against the palm of your hand to prevent dripping onto the label, which could obscure the writing. Pour bottle 4 to 6 inch above the basin. Pour slowly to avoid splashing.
• Only after you have donned sterile gloves can you touch the sterile field and items in the field

Question 8

Opening Sterile Packs

Answer 8

• Set the sterile pack on the clean surface positioned so that the first flap will open away from you
• Open the flap that folds away from you first, and then open each side flaps. Open the flap that folds toward you last. This prevents you from researching across a sterile pack while you are opening it. If the pack is institutionally sterilized and has two wrappers, open each wrapper in the same manner, taking care to avoid touching the inner surface of the inner wrapper

Question 9

Working with a sterile field

Answer 9

• Do not reach across the sterile field unless you are wearing a sterile gown and gloves. Your arms are not sterile, so you will contaminate the field by reaching across it
• Keep the sterile field in view at all times to ensure that contamination does not occur
• Never turn your back on a sterile field
• Once you have applied sterile gloves, keep gloved hands in the “safety zone”
• When sterile objects are exposed to air for a long period of time, they are no longer sterile.

Question 10

Most often used sterilization method in health care settings

Answer 10

Autoclaving

Question 11

When to use sterile technique

Answer 11

p429 read the bullet points

Question 12

Review

Answer 12

Skills in the back of the book

Question 13

The differences between surgical hand scrub and handwashing

Answer 13

• Surgical hand scrub is more intensive
• Surgical hand scrub cleans hands and arms up to elbows to ensure that shedding skin cells and pathogens have been removed

Question 14

Proper cleaning technique for reusable items prior to their sterilization

Answer 14

Disinfection

Question 15

Autoclaving

Answer 15

A method of sterilization that delivers steam under pressure, with heat ranging from 250F to 270F, in order to sterilize instruments that will not be harmed by heat and water under pressure

Question 16

Boiling

Answer 16

A method of sterilization in which instruments and supplies are boiled in water for 10 min to kill non-spore-forming organisms; this method does not kill spores

Question 17

Chemical Disinfection

Answer 17

A method of sterilization used to kill pathogens on equipment and supplies that can not be heated

Question 18

Circulating Nurse

Answer 18

A RN who assists in an operating room or by obtaining needed equipment and supplies. The circulating nurse is not “scrubbed in” on the case , so he or she may leave the operating suite to obtain needed items

Question 19

Contamination

Answer 19

The potential presence of pathogens on a sterile field or sterile object due to contact with an unsterile surface

Question 20

Disinfection

Answer 20

The process of cleaning surgical supplies and equipment with solutions that kill pathogens

Question 21

Gaseous Disinfection

Answer 21

A method of sterilization that kills pathogens on supplies and equipment that are heat sensitive or that must remain dry

Question 22

Ionizing Radiation

Answer 22

A method of sterilization that kills pathogens on sutures , some plastics, and biological materials that cannot be boiled or autoclaved

Question 23

Scrub Nurse

Answer 23

The person who assists the physician throughout surgery by handling instruments, holding retractors,and preforming other tasks that require sterile garb. This person does scrub in on the case, LPN or surg tech

Question 24

Sterile conscience

Answer 24

Always being aware of potential or certain contamination of the sterile field or sterile objects and taking appropriate steps to correct the situation, such as replacing the contaminated object with new supplies

Question 25

Sterile field

Answer 25

An area that is free from all microorganisms where additional sterile items can be placed until they are ready for use

Question 26

Sterile Technique

Answer 26

A method used to prevent contamination during invasive procedures or procedures that involve entering body cavities

Question 27

Sterilization

Answer 27

The process of using steam under pressure, gas, or radiation to kill all pathogens and their spores on surgical supplies and surgical equipment

Question 28

Surgical Asepsis

Answer 28

A method that requires the use of sterile supplies and equipment that have been treated to kill all pathogens and spores