Aseptic Technique Practice
Test Questions and
Answers All Correct
Which of the following is the only acceptable plastic that can be used for a steam
sterilization wrapper?
(A) Polyethylene(B) Polypropylene (C) Polyamide(D) Polyvinyl chloride - Answer-(B)
Polypropylene film of 1- to 3-mm thickness is the only plastic acceptable for steam
sterilization. It is used in the form of pouches presealed on two or three sides. The open
sides are then heat sealed.
All of the following statements regarding muslin wrappers are true EXCEPT:
(A) muslin must be laundered, even if unused, in order to rehydrate it (B) a 140 thread
count of unbleached muslin is used for wrappers(C) muslin is flexible and easy to
handle(D) small holes can be repaired by stitching on a patch - Answer-(D) Small holes
can be heat sealed with double vulcanized patches; they can never be stitched because
this will leave needle holes in the muslin.
Packages wrapped in muslin must have:
(A) one thickness (B) two thicknesses (C) three thicknesses (D) four thicknesses -
Answer-(D) Muslin wrappers must have two layers of double thickness (four
thicknesses) to serve as a sufficient dust filter and microbial barrier. A 140-thread count
muslin is used for wrappers.
The maximum storage life for a muslin wrapped item in a closed cabinet is:
(A) 7 days (B) 14 days (C) 21 days (D) 30 days - Answer-(D) The storage life for muslin
is 30 days maximum in closed cabinets. Muslin wets easily and dries quickly so water
stains may not be obvious. On open shelving, the storage life is 21 days.
An item dropped on the floor is considered safe only if:
(A) it is wrapped in woven material(B) it is enclosed in an impervious material (C) it is
used right away(D) it is inspected carefully - Answer-(B) If a sterile package is dropped,
the item may be considered safe for immediate use only if it is enclosed in an
impervious material and the integrity of the package is maintained. Dropped items
wrapped in woven materials should not be used.
When using a pour solution:
, (A) a portion may be poured and the cap replaced(B) the contents must be used or
discarded after the bottle is opened(C) the cap may be replaced if it has not been
placed on a nonsterile surface (D) the solution may be used on the same case if the cap
is not replaced - Answer-(B) After a sterile bottle is opened, the contents must be used
or discarded. The cap cannot be replaced without contamination of the pouring edges.
The edges of anything that encloses sterile contents are considered nonsterile.
What is the standard safety margin on package wrappers?
(A) Up to the edge (B) Less than 1 in(C) 1 in(D) None of the above - Answer-(C) A 1-in
safety margin is usually considered standard on package wrappers. After a package is
open, the edges are nonsterile.
When opening a wrapper, the circulator should open the top flap:
(A) toward self(B) away from self (C) after the sides (D) over sterile field - Answer-(B)
The top flap is opened away from self, the sides turned under, and secured. The last
flap is pulled toward the person opening the package
The minimum distance a nonsterile person should remain from a sterile field is:
(A) 6 in (B) 1 ft (C) 2 ft (D) 3 ft - Answer-(B) All nonsterile persons should remain at least
1 ft from any sterile field.
Identify which of the following is NOT a safe practice.
(A) Discard opened sterile bottles(B) Sterile persons drape first toward themselves, than
away (C) Sterile persons face sterile areas(D) Sterile tables may be covered for later
use - Answer-(D) Sterile tables should be set up just before the surgical procedure.
Covering of tables is not
recommended.
Tables are considered sterile:
(A) on the top and 2 in below the table level(B) up to 2 ft off the ground(C) on the top
and in the area that has been pulled close to the sterile field (D) only on the top -
Answer-(D) A sterile draped table is considered sterile only on the top. The edges and
sides extending below table level are considered nonsterile.
At the end of the case, drapes should be:
(A) pulled off and placed in a hamper(B) rolled off and placed on the floor so they can
be checked for instruments (C) rolled off and placed in a hamper(D) checked for
instruments, rolled off, and placed in a hamper - Answer-(D) Check drapes for
instruments. Roll drapes off the patient to prevent sparking and airborne contamination.
Wet areas should be placed in the center to prevent soaking through the laundry bag.
If a solution soaks through a sterile drape:
(A) discard drape and replace it(B) cover wet area with impervious sterile drape or towel
(C) cover wet area with at least two layers of fabric(D) fill out an incident report at the
end of the case - Answer-(B) If a solution soaks through a sterile drape to a nonsterile
area, the wet area is covered with impervious sterile drapes or towels.
Test Questions and
Answers All Correct
Which of the following is the only acceptable plastic that can be used for a steam
sterilization wrapper?
(A) Polyethylene(B) Polypropylene (C) Polyamide(D) Polyvinyl chloride - Answer-(B)
Polypropylene film of 1- to 3-mm thickness is the only plastic acceptable for steam
sterilization. It is used in the form of pouches presealed on two or three sides. The open
sides are then heat sealed.
All of the following statements regarding muslin wrappers are true EXCEPT:
(A) muslin must be laundered, even if unused, in order to rehydrate it (B) a 140 thread
count of unbleached muslin is used for wrappers(C) muslin is flexible and easy to
handle(D) small holes can be repaired by stitching on a patch - Answer-(D) Small holes
can be heat sealed with double vulcanized patches; they can never be stitched because
this will leave needle holes in the muslin.
Packages wrapped in muslin must have:
(A) one thickness (B) two thicknesses (C) three thicknesses (D) four thicknesses -
Answer-(D) Muslin wrappers must have two layers of double thickness (four
thicknesses) to serve as a sufficient dust filter and microbial barrier. A 140-thread count
muslin is used for wrappers.
The maximum storage life for a muslin wrapped item in a closed cabinet is:
(A) 7 days (B) 14 days (C) 21 days (D) 30 days - Answer-(D) The storage life for muslin
is 30 days maximum in closed cabinets. Muslin wets easily and dries quickly so water
stains may not be obvious. On open shelving, the storage life is 21 days.
An item dropped on the floor is considered safe only if:
(A) it is wrapped in woven material(B) it is enclosed in an impervious material (C) it is
used right away(D) it is inspected carefully - Answer-(B) If a sterile package is dropped,
the item may be considered safe for immediate use only if it is enclosed in an
impervious material and the integrity of the package is maintained. Dropped items
wrapped in woven materials should not be used.
When using a pour solution:
, (A) a portion may be poured and the cap replaced(B) the contents must be used or
discarded after the bottle is opened(C) the cap may be replaced if it has not been
placed on a nonsterile surface (D) the solution may be used on the same case if the cap
is not replaced - Answer-(B) After a sterile bottle is opened, the contents must be used
or discarded. The cap cannot be replaced without contamination of the pouring edges.
The edges of anything that encloses sterile contents are considered nonsterile.
What is the standard safety margin on package wrappers?
(A) Up to the edge (B) Less than 1 in(C) 1 in(D) None of the above - Answer-(C) A 1-in
safety margin is usually considered standard on package wrappers. After a package is
open, the edges are nonsterile.
When opening a wrapper, the circulator should open the top flap:
(A) toward self(B) away from self (C) after the sides (D) over sterile field - Answer-(B)
The top flap is opened away from self, the sides turned under, and secured. The last
flap is pulled toward the person opening the package
The minimum distance a nonsterile person should remain from a sterile field is:
(A) 6 in (B) 1 ft (C) 2 ft (D) 3 ft - Answer-(B) All nonsterile persons should remain at least
1 ft from any sterile field.
Identify which of the following is NOT a safe practice.
(A) Discard opened sterile bottles(B) Sterile persons drape first toward themselves, than
away (C) Sterile persons face sterile areas(D) Sterile tables may be covered for later
use - Answer-(D) Sterile tables should be set up just before the surgical procedure.
Covering of tables is not
recommended.
Tables are considered sterile:
(A) on the top and 2 in below the table level(B) up to 2 ft off the ground(C) on the top
and in the area that has been pulled close to the sterile field (D) only on the top -
Answer-(D) A sterile draped table is considered sterile only on the top. The edges and
sides extending below table level are considered nonsterile.
At the end of the case, drapes should be:
(A) pulled off and placed in a hamper(B) rolled off and placed on the floor so they can
be checked for instruments (C) rolled off and placed in a hamper(D) checked for
instruments, rolled off, and placed in a hamper - Answer-(D) Check drapes for
instruments. Roll drapes off the patient to prevent sparking and airborne contamination.
Wet areas should be placed in the center to prevent soaking through the laundry bag.
If a solution soaks through a sterile drape:
(A) discard drape and replace it(B) cover wet area with impervious sterile drape or towel
(C) cover wet area with at least two layers of fabric(D) fill out an incident report at the
end of the case - Answer-(B) If a solution soaks through a sterile drape to a nonsterile
area, the wet area is covered with impervious sterile drapes or towels.
