NBSTSA Sterile Technique & Asepsis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum sterile field margin from the edge of a draped table that is considered non-sterile?
- 1 inch (Correct answer)
- 2 inches
- 3 inches
- 4 inches
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which of the following actions is correct when a sterile gown becomes wet during a procedure?
- Continue the procedure if moisture is minimal
- Replace the gown immediately (Correct answer)
- Dry the gown with a sterile towel
- Apply a sterile drape over the wet area
Correct answer: Replace the gown immediately
A wet sterile gown is considered contaminated due to strike-through contamination and must be replaced immediately.
Question 3: When opening a peel-pack onto the sterile field, the scrub technologist should:
- Reach into the pack and remove the item
- Have the circulator drop the item onto the field
- Flip the item onto the sterile field from a distance
- Peel back the edges and present the item without touching the sterile field (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which disinfection level is required for semi-critical surgical instruments that contact intact mucous membranes?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization
Correct 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.
Question 5: The proper technique for donning a sterile gown after hand antisepsis is:
- Pick up the gown at the collar and shake it open
- Grasp the gown at the inside neckline and step away from the table (Correct answer)
- Ask the circulator to unfold and hold the gown open
- Open the gown on the back table and step into it
Correct 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.
Question 6: An item is considered sterile if it was sterilized by steam autoclave and stored in a clean, closed cabinet for:
- Indefinitely, as long as packaging is intact (Correct answer)
- 30 days maximum
- 6 months maximum
- Until opened
Correct 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.
NBSTSA Sterile Technique & Asepsis 1
What is the minimum sterile field margin from the edge of a draped table that is considered non-sterile?