CFA Sterile Field Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A circulator passes a bottle of saline to the scrub technician. What is the correct technique for pouring it onto the sterile field?
- Pour directly from the bottle held above the sterile field
- Hold the bottle close to the sterile container and pour slowly (Correct answer)
- Flip the cap back on after pouring to maintain sterility
- Hand the bottle to the scrub tech to pour themselves
Correct answer: Hold the bottle close to the sterile container and pour slowly
The circulator should hold the bottle close to (but not touching) the sterile container and pour slowly to avoid splashing and contamination.
Question 2: Which action correctly describes how a First Assistant should handle a sterile gown that has been opened onto the back table?
- Pick it up by the outer surface and shake it open
- Grasp it at the neckline from the inside and allow it to unfold away from the body (Correct answer)
- Ask the circulator to hold it while you step into it
- Place it on the OR table and put it on while seated
Correct answer: Grasp it at the neckline from the inside and allow it to unfold away from the body
The scrub person grasps the inside neckline and allows the gown to unfold away from the body, keeping the outer surface sterile.
Question 3: During a procedure, the sterile drape near the operative site becomes saturated with fluid. What is the appropriate response?
- Continue the case since drapes are waterproof
- Apply additional sterile drapes over the wet area immediately (Correct answer)
- Remove the wet drape and replace with a new sterile one
- Blot the wet area with a sterile towel and continue
Correct answer: Apply additional sterile drapes over the wet area immediately
Strike-through contamination occurs when moisture penetrates a drape, so additional sterile draping must be applied immediately over the wet area.
Question 4: The First Assistant notices a small hole in their sterile glove mid-procedure. What is the correct action?
- Apply a sterile adhesive bandage over the hole and continue
- Inform the surgeon and change the glove immediately (Correct answer)
- Continue if the hole is small and on a non-dominant finger
- Double-glove over the compromised glove using a non-sterile technique
Correct answer: Inform the surgeon and change the glove immediately
Any glove breach, regardless of size, must be corrected immediately by informing the team and changing the glove to maintain sterility.
Question 5: Which area of a sterile gown is considered unsterile after donning?
- The front chest panel from shoulder to waist
- The sleeve cuffs from wrist to elbow
- The back of the gown (Correct answer)
- The front panel below the chest
Correct answer: The back of the gown
The back of a sterile gown is considered unsterile because it cannot be continuously visualized and kept free from contamination.
Question 6: A sterile package is opened and the inner contents touch the outer wrapper edge. What should be done?
- Use the item since only the outside of the wrapper is unsterile
- Discard the item as it is now contaminated (Correct answer)
- Rinse the item with sterile saline before use
- Proceed cautiously and document the potential contamination
Correct answer: Discard the item as it is now contaminated
The edge of a sterile wrapper is considered non-sterile, so any item touching it is contaminated and must be discarded.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum distance a non-sterile person should maintain from a sterile field?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
- 18 inches (Correct answer)
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 18 inches
Non-sterile personnel should maintain a minimum distance of 18 inches (approximately 1.5 feet) from sterile fields to prevent inadvertent contamination.
CFA Sterile Field Management 2
A circulator passes a bottle of saline to the scrub technician.
What is the correct technique for pouring it onto the sterile field?