MEDRADSC 2A03 - Aseptic/Sterile Technique

medical asepsis

practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms

surgical asepsis

the complete removal of all microorganisms and their spores

what are the three common methods of sterilization?

steam under pressure, chemical sterilization and ethylene oxide

what method of sterilization does an AutoClave use?

steam under pressure

________ sterilization is also referred to as low temperature sterilization.

chemical

when is ethylene oxide used to sterilize instruments/surfaces?

when items cannot withstand moisture and/or high temperatures

Scrub brushes are (multi-/single)___________ use.

single

why are hands held up in surgical scrub techniques?

allows water to drain from cleanest area to dirtiest area

In surgical scrub techniques, fingers and arms are considered to have _____ sides.

4

True or False: surgical scrub techniques consider 1 inch above the elbow to be surgical asepsis.

False

True or False: the scrub brush is always carefully placed into a garbage can, as there can be splash-back and can contaminate your newly sterilized hands.

False

True or False: your hands must be kept above waist level to be considered sterilized.

True

True or False: if the sterility of an object in the OR is considered questionable, always assume it is sterile since it is present in an OR setting and it must be sterile.

False

True or False: when a surface or table is to be used as a sterile field, it must be sprayed with ethylene oxide to be considered sterile.

False

what is sterile?

free from all living microorganisms and their spores

what is the purpose of sterile foreceps?

they are used to transfer sterile materials throughout the sterile field, to maintain sterility

what size border of the sterile field is considered to no longer be sterile once opened?

1 inch around the border of the sterile field

True or False: when opening gauze onto a sterile field, you should not touch the inside of the package and rather "pour" the gauze onto the sterile field from the side

True

what should you do first when adding fluid to a sterile field?

check the label

when pouring liquids for a sterile field, what are two precautions to take?

pour out first bit of liquid, and do not pour it over the sterile field