Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique Flashcards

In the OR, traffic patterns are controlled primarily to:

Answer: Minimize airborne contamination and maintain sterility

Controlling traffic in the OR reduces the number of people and movements that generate airborne particles and contamination near the sterile field.

A sterile item falls below the level of the sterile field edge. What should the scrub technologist do?

Answer: Consider it contaminated and request a replacement

Any item that falls below the level of the sterile field is considered contaminated and must be replaced.

Which of the following describes the correct order for surgical hand antisepsis using a scrub brush?

Answer: Fingertips → fingers → hand → wrist → forearm

The anatomical scrub proceeds from the most contaminated area (fingertips/nails) proximally toward the forearm to move contamination away from the hands.

A sterile wrapper that has a hole of any size is considered:

Answer: Unsterile regardless of hole size

Any breach in a sterile wrapper, regardless of size, compromises sterility and the item must be reprocessed.

During a procedure, an unsterile person needs to walk past a sterile field. They should:

Answer: Face away from the sterile field while passing at a safe distance

Unsterile persons must face away from the sterile field and maintain a safe distance to prevent accidental contamination.

What does the term 'cuff' refer to when the scrub technologist opens sterile supplies?

Answer: A protective fold of the sterile drape over the gloved hands

Cuffing refers to folding the sterile drape or wrap over the gloved hands to prevent the sterile gloves from contacting the unsterile outer surface.

Sterile gloves torn or punctured during a procedure must be:

Answer: Changed immediately after notifying the surgeon

Torn or punctured gloves must be changed immediately because the barrier is broken and microorganisms can migrate to the sterile field.