AORN Aseptic Technique 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When setting up a sterile field, which action correctly maintains sterility?
- Reach across the sterile field to adjust items on the far side
- Open sterile packages by peeling edges away and dropping contents onto the field (Correct answer)
- Place sterile items at the edge of the drape nearest the circulator
- Flip sterile instruments onto the field from a distance to avoid contamination
Correct answer: Open sterile packages by peeling edges away and dropping contents onto the field
Sterile packages should be opened by peeling edges back and dropping or presenting contents to the sterile field without reaching across or touching sterile areas.
Question 2: Which zone around a sterile-draped table is considered the sterile field boundary per AORN guidelines?
- The entire surgical suite floor
- The top surface of the drape only (Correct answer)
- A 12-inch perimeter extending beyond the drape edges
- The drape top and sides down to table height
Correct answer: The top surface of the drape only
Only the top surface of the sterile drape is considered sterile; the edges and sides hanging below table level are not sterile.
Question 3: A circulator notices a small tear in a sterile gown cuff during a procedure. What is the correct response?
- Cover the tear with sterile tape and continue
- Notify the scrub and change the gown immediately (Correct answer)
- Double-glove over the existing glove to compensate
- Continue if gloves are intact, since gloves are the primary barrier
Correct answer: Notify the scrub and change the gown immediately
A compromised gown must be replaced immediately because it no longer provides an effective sterile barrier.
Question 4: Which of the following is an acceptable method for pouring sterile solution onto a sterile field?
- Hold the bottle over the field and pour slowly from any height
- Pour from a distance of 6 inches, keeping the bottle cap sterile side down
- Hand the open bottle to the scrub technician to pour directly
- Pour close to the sterile receptacle without splashing, after discarding the first few drops (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pour close to the sterile receptacle without splashing, after discarding the first few drops
Sterile solution should be poured near the edge of the receptacle without splashing, and the first pour is discarded to remove any contaminants at the bottle lip.
Question 5: What is the rationale for keeping the sterile field at or above waist level?
- It improves visibility for all team members
- Items below waist level are considered contaminated per aseptic principles (Correct answer)
- OSHA regulations require table height to be waist level
- It reduces the risk of ergonomic injury to the scrub person
Correct answer: Items below waist level are considered contaminated per aseptic principles
AORN guidelines consider anything below the waist level of a sterile-gowned person to be unsterile, because those areas cannot be consistently monitored.
Question 6: During a procedure, the sterile field is inadvertently left unattended for 15 minutes. What should happen?
- Resume the procedure if no one entered the room during that time
- The field is considered potentially compromised and must be re-established (Correct answer)
- Cover the field with a sterile towel and resume after confirming no contamination
- Document the event and continue if the patient's safety allows
Correct answer: The field is considered potentially compromised and must be re-established
An unmonitored sterile field is considered potentially contaminated and must be re-established to ensure patient safety.
Question 7: Which behavior by a scrubbed team member violates aseptic technique?
- Keeping hands above the level of the sterile drape
- Turning their back to the sterile field to retrieve a dropped instrument (Correct answer)
- Passing instruments within the sterile field with controlled movements
- Changing positions with another scrubbed team member face-to-face
Correct answer: Turning their back to the sterile field to retrieve a dropped instrument
Turning one's back to the sterile field violates aseptic technique because it removes the team member's ability to monitor and protect the sterile area.
AORN Aseptic Technique 2
When setting up a sterile field, which action correctly maintains sterility?