CNOR Surgical Asepsis and Sterility 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When opening a sterile package, which action correctly maintains sterility?
- Open the flap closest to you first
- Open the far flap first, then the sides, then the near flap (Correct answer)
- Open all flaps simultaneously to minimize exposure time
- Hold the package at waist level while opening all flaps
Correct answer: Open the far flap first, then the sides, then the near flap
Opening the far flap first prevents reaching over the sterile field, then sides, and finally the near flap toward the body.
Question 2: A scrub person notices a small hole in a sterile gown during donning. What is the appropriate action?
- Cover the hole with sterile drape material and continue
- Proceed if the hole is below the waist level
- Discard the gown and obtain an intact sterile gown (Correct answer)
- Reinforce the hole with sterile tape from the back table
Correct answer: Discard the gown and obtain an intact sterile gown
Any breach in gown integrity compromises the sterile barrier; the gown must be discarded and replaced.
Question 3: Which zone of a sterile-draped table is considered the sterile field boundary?
- Two inches from the table edge on all sides
- The entire top surface down to and including the table edge
- The top surface only; the sides and drape edges hanging below are unsterile (Correct answer)
- Only the center of the table where instruments are placed
Correct answer: The top surface only; the sides and drape edges hanging below are unsterile
The sterile field includes only the top surface of the draped table; hanging edges and sides below the table level are considered contaminated.
Question 4: Steam sterilization using the gravity displacement cycle is most appropriate for which items?
- Implantable orthopedic devices
- Items that can withstand high heat and moisture (Correct answer)
- Delicate optical instruments and cameras
- Items that absorb steam and cannot be dried
Correct answer: Items that can withstand high heat and moisture
Gravity displacement steam sterilization is suitable for heat- and moisture-tolerant items such as metal instruments and textiles.
Question 5: After a sterile package falls on the floor, the scrub person should:
- Pick it up only if the floor is visibly clean
- Use it if the outer wrap remains intact
- Consider it contaminated and discard it (Correct answer)
- Wipe the outside with an alcohol swab and use it
Correct answer: Consider it contaminated and discard it
Any item that falls to the floor is considered contaminated regardless of visible soiling or intact packaging.
Question 6: Which action by a circulator is correct when adding sterile solution to a sterile field?
- Hand the bottle directly to the scrub person
- Pour from a height of 6 inches or less to avoid splashing (Correct answer)
- Place the open bottle on the sterile back table
- Pour rapidly to minimize air exposure time
Correct answer: Pour from a height of 6 inches or less to avoid splashing
Pouring from a height of 6 inches or less prevents splashing that could contaminate the sterile field.
Question 7: A sterile team member must move around the sterile field. The safest method is to:
- Pass unsterile persons back-to-back
- Face the sterile field at all times while moving (Correct answer)
- Move quickly to reduce time near non-sterile areas
- Step back and pass between two sterile fields if space is limited
Correct answer: Face the sterile field at all times while moving
Sterile team members must always face the sterile field to maintain visualization and prevent accidental contamination.
CNOR Surgical Asepsis and Sterility 2
When opening a sterile package, which action correctly maintains sterility?