Surgical Asepsis and Sterility Flashcards
7 cards from real CNOR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Asepsis and Sterility flashcards as text
The principle of 'strike-through' contamination refers to:
Answer: Moisture passing through a sterile barrier, rendering it contaminated
Strike-through occurs when moisture migrates through a sterile barrier (drape or packaging), creating a pathway for microorganisms and contaminating the field.
Which sterilization method leaves the most toxic residue that requires extended aeration before the item is safe to use?
Answer: Ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
EtO leaves toxic ethylene oxide residue that requires a mandatory aeration period (often 8–12+ hours) before items are safe for patient use.
A scrubbed team member accidentally bumps into an unsterile mayo stand. The correct action is to:
Answer: Consider the gown contaminated and change it immediately
Any contact between a sterile gown and an unsterile surface contaminates the gown; the scrubbed person must regown immediately.
Which action ensures proper sterile technique when a circulator opens a rigid sterilization container for the scrub person?
Answer: The circulator holds the container while the scrub person retrieves items, or tips the tray onto the sterile field
The scrub person retrieves items from the container held by the circulator, or the circulator tips sterile contents onto the sterile field, preventing the unsterile exterior from entering the sterile field.
Which indicator is considered the gold standard for confirming sterilization efficacy?
Answer: Biological indicator using resistant bacterial spores
Biological indicators using resistant spores are the gold standard because they directly test whether the sterilization process killed microorganisms.
During sterile gloving using the closed-glove technique, which statement is correct?
Answer: The hands remain inside the gown sleeves while the gloves are donned
In closed-glove technique, the hands remain inside the gown sleeves throughout glove donning, preventing ungloved skin from touching the exterior of the sterile glove.
A sterile back table will not be used for 2 hours after setup. Which is the correct action?
Answer: Consider it contaminated and re-establish it when needed
A sterile field left unmonitored for any period cannot be guaranteed to remain sterile and must be considered contaminated and re-established before use.