A nurse sets up a sterile field. A break in the sterile field occurs when the nurse does which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Drops a sterile capped needle onto the sterile field
b. Spills solution onto the sterile field
c. Keeps the top of the table above waist level
d. Keeps sterile objects within a 1-inch border of the field

Answer 1

B, D
A sterile object or field becomes contaminated by capillary action when a sterile surface comes in contact with a wet contaminated surface. Moisture seeps through a sterile package's protective covering, allowing microorganisms to travel to the sterile object. When stored sterile packages become wet, discard the objects immediately or send the equipment to be sterilized again. Spilling solution over a sterile drape contaminates the field unless the drape cannot be penetrated by moisture. The edges of a sterile field or container are contaminated. A 2.5-cm (1-inch) border around a sterile towel or drape is considered contaminated. A sterile object remains sterile only when touched by another sterile object. Place only sterile objects, such as sterile needles, on a sterile field. A sterile object or field out of the range of vision or an object held below a person's waist is contaminated. Never turn your back on a sterile tray or leave it unattended. Any object held below waist level is considered contaminated because you cannot view it at all times. Keep sterile objects either on or out over the sterile field.