Clinical ProceduresQuestion 48 of 100
While setting up a sterile field for a minor office surgery, which action maintains sterility?
a.Reaching across the sterile field to place an instrument on the far side
b.Turning your back to the field briefly to answer the phone
c.Placing a sterile item within half an inch of the edge of the drape
d.Keeping sterile gloved hands above waist level and in view at all times
Explanation
Sterile items and gloved hands must stay above waist level and within sight, because anything below the waist or out of view is considered contaminated. Reaching across the field drops skin flora onto sterile items, and turning away breaks continuous observation. The outer one inch of a sterile drape is considered contaminated, so items must be placed inside that border.
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