Deck 15: Principles of Aseptic and Sterile Techniques

Question 1

A sterile person and an unsterile person face each other when passing each other so as to recognize whether the sterile person gets contaminated.

Answer 1

False
Sterile personnel turn their back to an unsterile person or unsterile area to avoid contamination when passing.

Question 2

Always wear a gown,mask,eyewear,and gloves when the risk of being splashed with blood or bodily fluids is present.

Answer 2

True
The risk of being splashed with blood or bodily fluids may occur when cleaning instruments after a procedure or cleaning the OR.Gowns,gloves,masks,and eyewear protect the wearer from being splashed.

Question 3

OR lights should be cleaned once weekly to prevent the spread of microorganisms.

Answer 3

False
Lights should be cleaned after every procedure to prevent the spread of microbial growth.

Question 4

Eyeglasses are acceptable protection against bodily fluids while at the sterile field.

Question 5

It is not acceptable to shift drapes once they are placed on a table or sterile field in order to assure correct placement.

Question 6

When loading and unloading a scalpel blade from a knife handle,use your fingers to carefully remove or place the blade.

Question 7

If an item,such as the end of a suture,extends over the edge of the sterile field,can it be brought back into the sterile field?

Question 8

Every patient in the OR is considered infected.

Question 9

Asepsis is another way of stating something is sterile.

Question 10

Traffic in the OR should be kept to a minimum.

Question 11

When removing instrument trays from the sterilizer,it is acceptable to touch the door of the sterilizer with the tray because the door is sterile.

Question 12

What is a way to prevent fomite contamination of items in the OR?

A) Weekly disinfection of OR surfaces after use
B) Keeping shipping boxes and cartons within the surgical suite for easy reach
C) Placement of dust covers over sterile items while in storage
D) Utilize a portable fan in the OR to prevent flies and other insects from inhabiting the space

Question 13

The use of a disinfectant alone will reduce microbial flora on objects used in the OR.

Question 14

Double-gloving during a procedure will keep the wearer from incurring a puncture wound caused by a suture or knife blade.

Question 15

It is important to wash hands before entering the OR and after every patient contact.

Question 16

What is the most common source of transmission of microorganisms in the OR?

A) Instruments
B) Faulty ventilation system
C) Infection
D) Surgical team

Question 17

When scrubbed in,it is never acceptable to fold one's hands under one's arms and tuck them in the axillary region.

Question 18

Which three areas of the human body are major areas of microbial shedding?

A) Feet,lips,umbilicus
B) Neck,axillae,perineum
C) Flank,waist,groin
D) Fingertips,ankle,chest

Question 19

If the scrub person must re-glove during a procedure,it is acceptable to pull the cuff down over the hand while putting on new gloves.

Question 20

Once the patient's skin has been prepped with iodine solution,it is sterile and considered free of all flora.

Question 21

What is the proper way to pass medications to a sterile person at the sterile field?

A) The scrub person uses a syringe and needle to draw out of the bottle held by the circulator.
B) The circulator flips off the cap of the medication bottle and pours the medicine into a cup or basin on the sterile field.
C) The medication is drawn up in a syringe and hypodermic needle by the circulator,the needle is removed,and the drug is dispensed in a cup on the sterile field by the circulator.
D) The medication is drawn up in a syringe by the circulator,the hypodermic needle remains attached,and the drug is dispensed in a cup on the sterile field by the circulator.

Question 22

What are the parameters of the sterile areas on the front of a gown?

A) From the neckline to the waist
B) From the chest level down to below the waist
C) From the chest level to the level of the sterile field
D) From the chest level down to knee level

Question 23

What PPE would you use if following standard precautions when moving a patient from the OR table to a stretcher?

A) Sterile gloves and gown
B) Lead vest and apron
C) Gloves and mask
D) Thyroid shield

Question 24

Which is one example of a semicritical item used in the OR?

A) Anesthesia laryngoscope handle
B) Surgical headlight
C) Hyperthermia blanket
D) Surgical headlight

Question 25

What is the most important reason for keeping the doors to the OR closed except when opening is necessary?

A) The patient may get cold.
B) The hallway may be too noisy and prevent the surgeon from concentrating.
C) Closed doors maintain a positive pressure atmosphere.
D) Closed doors prevent environmental cleaning staff from hearing and seeing surgical events.

Question 26

What is the margin of safety regarding the inside of a sterile package?

A) The inside is considered sterile to within 1 inch of the edges.
B) The inside is considered sterile to within 11/2 inches of the edges.
C) The inside is considered sterile to within 2 inches of the edges.
D) The inside is sterile to the edge of the package.

Question 27

If a sterile package wrapped in a moisture-resistant barrier becomes wet or damp,what should you do?

A) Wipe it off,then open it when the outer package is completely dry.
B) Use it as is because it was sterilized at one time.
C) Do not use because of the moisture that may have seeped into the package and contaminated it.
D) If it was sterilized less than 2 weeks ago,it is acceptable to use it

Question 28

If an item in the OR is not known definitively to be sterile,what is the next action to be taken?

A) Consider it contaminated and throw it out.
B) Call your supervisor.
C) Keep it in the room and use it so as not to waste an opened item.
D) Ask the anesthesiologist in the room to determine its sterility.

Question 29

An example of a critical item in the OR is a:

A) colonoscope.
B) minor instrument tray.
C) prep table.
D) reusable blood pressure cuff.

Question 30

Which is an example of impervious barriers used in a surgical procedure?

A) Sterile drapes
B) OR bed sheet
C) Plastic pillowcase cover
D) Clean garbage liner

Question 31

Which is an example of a hospital-acquired infection?

A) Catheter-associated urinary tract infection
B) Diabetic gangrene
C) Gunshot wound septicemia
D) Tuberculosis

Question 32

What is one important action health care workers can take to decrease the spread of infection with patients in isolated?

A) Refuse to perform survival procedures on isolation patients until the precaution has been lifted.
B) Perform procedures on immunosuppressed patient's on weekends and during late shifts.
C) Explain to patients in isolation that they have contaminated body fluids that cannot be tolerated by the health care workers caring for them.
D) Handwashing before and after close patient contact and in between patients.