A nurse is setting up a sterile field before performing a dressing change on a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to maintain the sterile field? (Select all that apply.)
A.
Select a work surface at the nurse’s waist level.
B.
Open the first flap of the sterile package toward the nurse’s body.
C.
Grasp 2.5 cm (1 in) of the outer edge to open the surgical wrap.
D.
Place & surgical pack with a sterile drape on the work surface.
E.
Apply sterile gloves before opening the pack
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To maintain a sterile field during a dressing change, the nurse must adhere to specific guidelines to prevent contamination. The correct actions from the options provided are:
A. Select a work surface at the nurse’s waist level. B. Open the first flap of the sterile package toward the nurse’s body. C. Grasp 2.5 cm (1 in) of the outer edge to open the surgical wrap. D. Place a surgical pack with a sterile drape on the work surface.
Explanation:
- Selecting a Work Surface at Waist Level (Option A): The work surface should ideally be at the nurse’s waist level to ensure that the sterile field is maintained at a comfortable working height. This position minimizes the risk of accidental contamination from the nurse’s arms or hands, which can occur if the surface is too high or too low.
- Opening the First Flap Toward the Nurse’s Body (Option B): When opening a sterile package, the first flap should be opened away from the body. This prevents any contamination from the nurse’s body or clothing falling onto the sterile field. The second and third flaps should be opened to the sides to prevent any contamination from the nurse’s hands.
- Grasping the Outer Edge to Open the Surgical Wrap (Option C): When opening a sterile pack, the nurse should grasp the outer 2.5 cm (1 in) of the wrap. This area is considered non-sterile and handling it allows the nurse to avoid contaminating the sterile contents inside the package.
- Placing a Surgical Pack with a Sterile Drape on the Work Surface (Option D): Once the sterile pack is opened, the sterile drape or contents should be placed on the previously cleaned and prepared work surface. This ensures that the items used for the dressing change are in a sterile environment.
Incorrect Actions:
- E. Applying Sterile Gloves Before Opening the Pack: This action is incorrect because sterile gloves should be applied after opening the sterile pack but before handling the sterile contents. If gloves are applied too early, there is a risk of contaminating the sterile field when handling the packaging or opening the sterile items.
Maintaining a sterile field is crucial to preventing infections and ensuring the safety and efficacy of the dressing change procedure. Following these steps carefully helps to ensure that the field remains uncontaminated and that the procedure is conducted safely.