A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change using surgical aseptic technique. The nurse gathers supplies to prepare the sterile field using a packaged drape. Which option correctly describes how the nurse should set up the field?

Question

a. Don sterile gloves before opening the packaged drape.
b. Clean the bottle of irrigation solution with alcohol before placing the bottle on the field.
c. Avoid dropping sterile supplies close to the 1-inch border around the drape.
d. Leave the sterile field unattended to obtain needed supplies.

Answer 1

C
The exterior border of the sterile drape is presumed contaminated, so all supplies must be kept within the sterile portion. Dropping supplies too close to the 1-inch border risks having them bounce off the sterile area. Nonsterile supplies are never to be placed on the sterile field. The sterile field is never to be out of the nurse's line of sight. Sterile gloves will not be applied until the sterile field is set up, and items needed to deliver care are ready for use. Applying them earlier in the process risks having them become contaminated.