Patient Safety & Aseptic Practices Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Safety & Aseptic Practices flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a surgical time-out immediately before incision?
Answer: To verify patient identity, procedure, site, and position before incision
The surgical time-out is a mandatory pause to verify correct patient identity, procedure, surgical site, and patient position to prevent wrong-site surgery.
Which type of sterilization is most appropriate for heat-sensitive surgical instruments?
Answer: Ethylene oxide (ETO) gas sterilization
Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is used for heat-sensitive instruments because it sterilizes at low temperatures without damaging delicate materials.
When applying sterile drapes, in which direction should draping proceed?
Answer: From the operative site outward toward the periphery
Draping proceeds from the operative site outward to prevent dragging potentially contaminated drapes over the clean operative site.
A sterile package is found with a small hole in the wrapper. What action should be taken?
Answer: Consider it contaminated and do not use it
Any breach in sterile packaging compromises sterility, so the item must be considered contaminated and should not be used.
What is the correct order for surgical hand scrub technique?
Answer: Fingertips to elbow progressing distal to proximal, then repeat
The surgical scrub proceeds distal to proximal (fingertips to elbow) to move debris from the cleanest area toward the less critical area.
Which statement correctly describes the 'sterile to sterile' principle?
Answer: Only sterile persons may touch sterile items; non-sterile persons may handle outer packaging
The 'sterile to sterile' principle means only sterile persons and sterile items may contact the sterile field; non-sterile persons handle only outer packaging.
When a first assistant gowns and gloves using closed-glove technique, the gown cuffs should be:
Answer: Kept over the hands until the gloves are fully applied
In closed-glove technique, the gown cuffs remain over the hands throughout gloving to prevent hand-to-glove exterior contact and maintain sterility.