Aseptic Technique and Sterilization Flashcards

Which area of a wrapped sterile package is opened first when presenting to the scrub technologist?

Answer: The far flap, away from the scrub person

Opening the far flap first prevents the circulator's arm from passing over the sterile field when opening subsequent flaps.

What chemical class do most high-level disinfectants (HLDs) used for endoscopes belong to?

Answer: Glutaraldehydes or ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)

Glutaraldehyde and OPA are the primary HLDs used for endoscopes because they achieve high-level disinfection of semi-critical devices.

A package sterilized by steam autoclave has a wet outer wrap upon removal. What should be done?

Answer: Consider it unsterile and reprocess

Wet packaging indicates condensation compromise and potential strike-through contamination, requiring the package to be reprocessed.

What is the primary purpose of a chemical indicator (CI) placed inside a sterilization pack?

Answer: Confirm the pack was exposed to the sterilant parameters

Internal CIs confirm that the sterilizing agent penetrated the pack and reached the intended parameters during the cycle.

Which of the following actions violates aseptic technique during surgical draping?

Answer: Reaching across the unsterile side to adjust a drape

Reaching across an unsterile area contaminates the sterile glove and gown, violating aseptic technique.

What is the recommended action when a circulating nurse must hand a sterile item to a scrubbed person?

Answer: Drop or flip it onto the sterile field without touching the inner contents

The circulator must present the sterile item so the scrubbed person can retrieve it without the non-sterile packaging touching the sterile field.

Which sterilization process requires aeration time after the cycle to remove toxic residue?

Answer: Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization

EO sterilization leaves toxic ethylene oxide residue that must be removed through a mandatory aeration period before the item is safe for patient use.