AORN Infection Prevention and Control 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of maintaining sterile technique in the operating room?
- To protect the surgical team from exposure to bodily fluids
- To enhance the speed of the surgical procedure
- To prevent contamination of the surgical site (Correct answer)
- To minimize the need for postoperative antibiotics
Correct answer: To prevent contamination of the surgical site
The primary goal of maintaining sterile technique in the operating room is to prevent the introduction of microorganisms into the patient's surgical wound. By minimizing the risk of contamination, sterile technique significantly reduces the likelihood of surgical site infections (SSIs), which can lead to serious complications and prolonged recovery for the patient.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a break in sterile technique?
- Touching a sterile drape with sterile gloves
- Allowing a sterile object to fall below waist level (Correct answer)
- Keeping sterile instruments on a sterile field
- Wearing a surgical mask in the operating room
Correct answer: Allowing a sterile object to fall below waist level
In sterile technique, any object that falls below waist level or out of the line of sight is considered contaminated because these areas cannot be consistently monitored for sterility. This principle helps maintain a strict sterile field, preventing microorganisms from non-sterile environments from reaching the surgical site and causing infection.
Question 3: What is the proper procedure for hand hygiene before performing a surgical scrub?
- Wash hands with water only
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Wash hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap (Correct answer)
- Soak hands in a sterile solution
Correct answer: Wash hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap
Before performing a surgical scrub, the proper procedure for hand hygiene involves thoroughly washing hands and forearms with an antimicrobial soap for a specified duration. This process mechanically removes transient microorganisms and reduces resident flora, preparing the skin for the application of sterile gloves and minimizing the risk of infection.
Question 4: What is the recommended action if a surgical instrument is dropped during a procedure?
- Rinse the instrument with sterile water and reuse it
- Place the instrument back on the sterile field
- Remove the instrument and replace it with a sterile one (Correct answer)
- Continue using the instrument if it appears clean
Correct answer: Remove the instrument and replace it with a sterile one
If a surgical instrument is dropped during a procedure, it is immediately considered contaminated and must be removed from the sterile field. The correct action is to replace it with a new, sterile instrument to maintain aseptic technique and prevent the introduction of pathogens into the surgical site, thereby safeguarding patient safety.
Question 5: Which factor most significantly contributes to surgical site infections (SSIs)?
- Duration of the surgery (Correct answer)
- Patient’s fasting period
- Type of anesthesia used
- The patient’s age
Correct answer: Duration of the surgery
The duration of surgery is a significant risk factor for surgical site infections (SSIs) because prolonged exposure of tissues to the environment and increased manipulation can lead to greater bacterial contamination. Longer procedures also correlate with increased patient stress and potential for compromised immune response, further elevating infection risk.
AORN Infection Prevention and Control 1
What is the primary goal of maintaining sterile technique in the operating room?