Surgical asepsis includes _____
procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms
When is surgical asepsis used?
1. during procedures that require intentional perforation
2. When the integrity of the skin is broken
3. During procedures that involve invasive procedures into sterile body cavities
How can a patient avoid contaminating sterile items?
-avoid sudden movements of body parts covered by sterile drapes
-refrain from touching supplies, drapes, nurse's gloves and gown
-avoid coughing, sneezing, or talking over sterile area
A sterile object only remains sterile when touched by
another sterile object
Only ________ can be placed on a sterile field
sterile objects
The package or container holding a sterile object must be ___________________
intact and dry
A sterile object or field out of _____________ is contaminated
out of the range of vision
A sterile object or field below ___________ is contaminated
a person's waist
A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by prolonged what?
exposure to air
When a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet, contaminated surface, the sterile object becomes contaminated by _________
capillary action
Fluid flows in the direction of
gravity
Why do surgeons hold their hands above elbows after washing hands and dry from fingers to elbows with hands held up?
fluid flows in the direction of gravity and can cause contamination
The _______ of a sterile container are considered contaminated
edges
A __________ border around the sterile surface is considered contaminated
1 in
What should be worn for any general sterile procedure on a nursing unit
surgical mask and eyewear
What is worn for sterile surgical procedures?
apply a clean cap
surgical mask
eyewear
When is the only time eyewear is worn?
risk for body fluids splashing into the eyes
What order is PPE removed?
gloves
face shield/goggles
gown
mask
What should the nurse do before opening a sterile package?
perform hand hygiene
inspect supplies
Can sterile gloves touch the wrappers of supplies?
No
True or false: the inside of the bottle cap is sterile
true
How should a cap be placed?
sterile side up
Is it okay to set a cap on a sterile surface?
no
How should the nurse hold a bottle that will be poured?
label in hand to prevent solution from wetting or fading the label
what type of gloving do nurses use on units?
open
When is the surgical gown applied?
after the mask, surgical cap and handwashing