Sterile Technique & Asepsis Flashcards

What is the minimum sterile field margin from the edge of a draped table that is considered non-sterile?

Answer: 1 inch

The outer 1-inch border of a draped sterile field is considered non-sterile and must not be used for sterile items.

Which of the following actions is correct when a sterile gown becomes wet during a procedure?

Answer: Replace the gown immediately

A wet sterile gown is considered contaminated due to strike-through contamination and must be replaced immediately.

When opening a peel-pack onto the sterile field, the scrub technologist should:

Answer: Peel back the edges and present the item without touching the sterile field

The circulator peels back the packaging edges and presents or flips the sterile item onto the field without contaminating either surface.

Which disinfection level is required for semi-critical surgical instruments that contact intact mucous membranes?

Answer: High-level disinfection

Semi-critical items require high-level disinfection because they contact mucous membranes and need elimination of all microorganisms except high numbers of bacterial spores.

The proper technique for donning a sterile gown after hand antisepsis is:

Answer: Grasp the gown at the inside neckline and step away from the table

The scrub person grasps the inside of the gown at the neckline, steps away from the table, and allows it to unfold without touching the outside sterile surface.

An item is considered sterile if it was sterilized by steam autoclave and stored in a clean, closed cabinet for:

Answer: Indefinitely, as long as packaging is intact

Per event-related sterility, an item sterilized by autoclave remains sterile indefinitely as long as the packaging remains intact and undamaged.