Question 1

Hair is considered a gross contaminant and a major source of staphylococci.

Accepted Answer

Hair is a contaminant.Hair follicles harbor resident and transient flora.It can also be a mechanical irritant in wound healing.Hair should be completely covered at all times in restricted and semirestricted areas.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

In all types of isolation,the most important control measure is thorough handwashing before and after close patient contact; after handling contaminated objects,body fluids,and excretions; and between patients.Isolation techniques must not be implemented in a way that causes the patient to feel victimized.Patients should be educated to understand that the isolation protects them as well as the caregiver,and they must comply with the regimen.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Impervious barriers such as sterile drapes,gowns,and gloves protect sterile areas,isolate surgical sites,and keep the number of microorganisms to a minimum.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

When opening packages,a margin of safety is always maintained.The inside of a wrapper is considered sterile to within 1 inch of the edges.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

If the door is left open,the positive air pressure in the room equalizes with the negative air pressure in the hallway.The disrupted pressurization mixes the clean air of the OR with air in the hallway,which has a higher microbial count.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The type of PPE used depends on the task and the degree of anticipated exposure.Examples include gloves,eyewear,gowns,hair covers,and masks.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

If there is any doubt about the sterility of an item,it should be considered not sterile and therefore not be used.In this situation,the phrase,"when in doubt,throw it out" is applied.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Gowns are considered sterile only from the chest to the level of the sterile field in front and from 2 inches above the elbows to the cuffs on the sleeves.The level of the surgical site establishes the level of the sterile field.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Fomites are contaminated particles present in dust that settle on inanimate objects.OR surfaces must be disinfected promptly and dust covers kept over sterile supplies to prevent the settling of dust on the packages.

Question 10

Good housekeeping techniques should reduce microbial flora by approximately 90%.

Accepted Answer

Housekeeping procedures include cleaning and disinfecting the perioperative environment.Disinfectants are used in combination with through mechanical cleaning.This is carried out after every procedure according to policies and established practices.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

It is unsafe to dispense the drug via syringe and needle because the needle could injure a team member or aerosolize a drug that the team member might be sensitive to.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

People remain the major source of microorganisms in the OR environment.The surgical team is the most common source of transmission,followed by contaminated instrumentation.

Question 13

What is the proper way an unsterile person should wear their warm-up jacket?

Accepted Answer

Unsterile personnel should wear long sleeved jackets with knitted cuffs.Fronts of jackets should be buttoned completely.An open jacket can contaminate a sterile surface by falling open.

Question 14

What is the recommendation for the setup of sterile tables?

Accepted Answer

Sterile tables should be set up as close to the procedure as possible.This is best for the patient.There is not an established time period or duration wherein the table is considered sterile or unsterile.If a table is covered,a sterile drape is placed halfway with a cuffed edge and a second drape placed in the same manner on the opposite side.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Handwashing after every patient and before entering the OR prevents infection and cross-infection.Hands are washed immediately after glove removal; gloves have microscopic holes and may contaminate hands.

Question 16

Which is an example of a hospital-acquired infection?

Accepted Answer

An infection is considered hospital associated or acquired (formerly referred to as nosocomial)during the course of health care if it was neither present nor incubating when the patient was admitted.Medicare does not pay for HAI.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

On all individuals the major areas of microbial shedding include the head,axillae,hands,groin,perineum,legs,and feet.

Question 18

If a sterile package wrapped in an absorbent material barrier becomes wet or damp,what should you do?

Accepted Answer

If an absorbent material wrapper becomes wet,it is not certain whether the inner contents are sterile,so it can be considered contaminated and must not be used.

Question 19

Asepsis is another way of stating something is sterile.

Accepted Answer

Asepsis means "without dirt" and it implies the absence of pathogenic microorganisms.The terms aseptic and sterile are not synonymous,but are closely related.An object can be aseptic without being sterile.Sterile technique is based on sound principles to prevent the transmission of microorganisms that cause infection.

Question 20

Traffic in the OR should be kept to a minimum.

Accepted Answer

Every movement made by personnel can generate airborne contamination.Particulates bearing microorganisms can become airborne and settle in an open wound.

Quiz 15: Principles of Aseptic and Sterile Techniques