A nurse is preparing a sterile field for the insertion of a urinary catheter. Identify the sequence of actions the nurse should follow. (Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the selected order of performance. Use all the steps.)
A.
Perform hand hygiene.
B.
Place the sterile package on the work surface.
C.
Open the outermost flap of the package away from the body.
D.
Open the side flaps of the package.
E.
Open the innermost flap of the package toward the body.
F.
Use the inner surface of the package as a sterile field.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To correctly prepare a sterile field for the insertion of a urinary catheter, the nurse must follow a specific sequence of steps to maintain sterility and prevent contamination. The steps should be performed in the following order:
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Place the sterile package on the work surface.
- Open the outermost flap of the package away from the body.
- Open the side flaps of the package.
- Open the innermost flap of the package toward the body.
- Use the inner surface of the package as a sterile field.
Explanation:
- Perform hand hygiene:
Hand hygiene is the first and most important step to prevent infection. Proper handwashing or use of hand sanitizer removes contaminants and minimizes the risk of transferring microorganisms to the sterile field or equipment. The nurse must ensure that their hands are clean before initiating the sterile procedure. - Place the sterile package on the work surface:
Once the hands are clean, the nurse should place the sterile package on a clean and dry work surface at waist level. This positioning helps to maintain sterility by ensuring that the sterile items are not placed in an area where they can become contaminated. - Open the outermost flap of the package away from the body:
When opening the sterile package, the first flap is opened away from the nurse’s body. This prevents contamination from the nurse’s clothing or body coming into contact with the sterile contents. - Open the side flaps of the package:
Next, the side flaps are opened to the left and right. It is important to handle only the outer edges of these flaps, as the interior must remain sterile. - Open the innermost flap of the package toward the body:
The last flap is opened toward the nurse’s body. As with the previous steps, care is taken to avoid touching the inner surface, which will be used as the sterile field. - Use the inner surface of the package as a sterile field:
Once the package is fully opened, the inner surface of the package is used as the sterile field. This sterile surface provides a workspace for the nurse to organize sterile supplies and equipment, such as the catheter, without risking contamination.
By following these steps, the nurse ensures that the sterile field is properly established, reducing the risk of introducing infections during the urinary catheter insertion procedure. Maintaining the sterility of the equipment and field is critical to safeguarding the patient from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).