During a sterile procedure, a sterile forceps touches the outside of the sterile package. What should the nurse do?
Correct answer: C. Treat the forceps as contaminated and replace it
- A. Continue because the forceps still looks clean
- B. Wipe the forceps with an alcohol swab
- C. Treat the forceps as contaminated and replace it
- D. Place the forceps inside the sterile field again
Explanation
Contact with a nonsterile surface contaminates a sterile item, even when no soil is visible. Wiping it with alcohol does not restore surgical sterility, so the forceps must be replaced.
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About Infection Prevention and Asepsis
Asepsis covers the chain of infection, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, standard and transmission-based precautions, sterilisation, disinfection and safe waste disposal. The key distinction is between medical asepsis, which reduces microorganisms, and surgical asepsis, which maintains a sterile field during invasive procedures.
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