The nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter.The package is dry but shows signs of yellowing inside the plastic wrapper,as if the package was wet at one time.What should the nurse do?
A)Use the package because it is dry at present.
B)Consider the outer package contaminated,but the inner package sterile.
C)Discard the entire package as contaminated.
D)Open the package and consider the 1-inch border as contaminated.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A sterile barrier that has been permeated by punctures,tears,or moisture must be considered contaminated.If there is any question or doubt of an item's sterility,the item is considered to be unsterile.Once a sterile package has been opened,a 2.5-cm (1-inch)border around the edges is considered unsterile.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Insert a Urinary Catheter