FREE AORN Infection Prevention and Control Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of maintaining sterile technique in the operating room?
Sterile technique is used to prevent contamination of the surgical site, which reduces the risk of infection and promotes better healing outcomes.
Which of the following is considered a break in sterile technique?
A sterile object is considered contaminated if it falls below waist level because it can come into contact with unsterile surfaces, increasing the risk of contamination.
What is the proper procedure for hand hygiene before performing a surgical scrub?
Hand hygiene before a surgical scrub involves washing hands and forearms with antimicrobial soap to remove transient microorganisms and reduce resident microorganisms, ensuring the highest level of asepsis.
What is the recommended action if a surgical instrument is dropped during a procedure?
A dropped instrument is considered contaminated and must be removed from the sterile field. A sterile replacement should be used to maintain aseptic conditions.
Which factor most significantly contributes to surgical site infections (SSIs)?
The duration of surgery is a significant factor because longer surgeries increase the patient’s exposure to potential contaminants, elevating the risk of infection. Adherence to strict infection control protocols helps mitigate this risk.