A nurse is preparing a sterile field to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to maintain surgical aseptic technique?
A.
Hold hands folded below the waist after donning sterile gloves
B.
Pick up and pour solutions with the palm of the hand covering bottle labels
C.
Keep sterile items within a 1.3 cm (0.5 in) border of the sterile drape
D.
Maintain sterile objects within the line of vision
Answer and Explanation
The correct answer is:
D. Maintain sterile objects within the line of vision
Explanation:
To maintain a sterile field and adhere to surgical aseptic techniques, the following practices should be followed:
- A. Hold hands folded below the waist after donning sterile gloves: Hands should be held above the waist and away from the body after donning sterile gloves to prevent contamination.
- B. Pick up and pour solutions with the palm of the hand covering bottle labels: The label of the solution bottle should not be covered by the palm of the hand, as this can obscure important information and potentially cause contamination. The correct technique involves pouring the solution while holding the bottle with the label facing up and ensuring the label does not come into contact with any surfaces.
- C. Keep sterile items within a 1.3 cm (0.5 in) border of the sterile drape: The 1.3 cm (0.5 in) border of the sterile drape is considered non-sterile. Sterile items should be kept inside this border to maintain sterility.
- D. Maintain sterile objects within the line of vision: Keeping sterile objects within the line of vision ensures that they remain sterile and are not accidentally contaminated. This practice helps maintain the integrity of the sterile field.
Correct answer: D