Sterile Techniques in the Operating
15 to 20 minutes - ANSWER-Depending on the complexity of the surgery, the amount of equipment to
be prepared, and the degree of emergency, the scrub and circulator open the case about 15 to 20
minutes before the start of surgery.
Abdominal Prep - ANSWER-Four towels are placed in a square to frame the prep area.
antiseptic solution - ANSWER-The surgical site and a wide area around the site are cleansed and painted
with antiseptic solution.
antiseptics - ANSWER-Only antiseptic agents approved for use on skin may be used for the prep.
area beneath the fingernails cleaned with a pick during the surgical scrub - ANSWER-subungual
area of the arms a surgical technologist scrubs - ANSWER-2 inches above the elbows
Aseptic technique motivation - ANSWER-Closely associated with one's motivation to protect the patient.
Assisting Falling Patient - ANSWER-Ease the patient to the floor while protecting the head; do not try to
hold the patient up.
Back Table - ANSWER-First item to be opened when creating a sterile field.
chemical burns - ANSWER-Chemical burns result when prep solutions are allowed to pool under the
patient. Pressure and contact with the chemical over time can result in severe blistering and skin loss.
Circulator - ANSWER-Assists with turning gowns in the operating room.
Closed-Glove Technique - ANSWER-Used after donning a sterile gown in the surgical setting.
contaminated areas during surgical skin prep - ANSWER-should be scrubbed separately or last
Contamination risk - ANSWER-Increases the longer a setup remains exposed; not recommended to leave
supplies open before a case for more than 2 hours.
Cuff - ANSWER-Nonsterile portion of a surgical gown.
Custom Packs - ANSWER-Contain disposable drapes, sutures, and supplies for specific procedures.
draped patient - ANSWER-The draped patient is the center of the sterile field during surgery. Other
draped items and sterile personnel form the periphery of the field.
efficiency and economy of motion - ANSWER-recommend that the surgical technologist move items only
once if possible
Emergency in Elevator - ANSWER-Activate the emergency alarm system if an emergency occurs while
transporting a patient in an elevator.
event related hand washing - ANSWER-Hand washing is event related (performed before and after a
specific task or event). It requires a specific method with individual steps.
examples of mechanisms of intraoperative heat loss - ANSWER-radiation, convection, conduction, and
evaporation
, Sterile Techniques in the Operating
Extremity Prep - ANSWER-Prep the surrounding area first before the procedure.
Eyebrows - ANSWER-Eyebrows are never shaved as they may fail to regrow or may grow abnormally
after surgery.
Foley catheter - ANSWER-The most common method of continuous drainage is with a Foley urinary
catheter. This is a retention catheter that has a small inflatable balloon at the tip.
Footboard in Reverse Trendelenburg - ANSWER-Prevents patient from sliding downward, which can
cause shearing injury.
Fowler position - ANSWER-The sitting or Fowler position occasionally is used for facial, cranial, or
reconstructive breast surgery.
Fowler's Position - ANSWER-Allows greater access to lower abdominal and pelvic structures.
gloving method after donning a sterile gown and before setting up the back table - ANSWER-closed
gloving
Gravity Drainage Bags - ANSWER-Bags that must always be lower than the patient's body to ensure
proper drainage.
Hair Cover - ANSWER-First item to be donned when changing into operating room attire.
Head Prep - ANSWER-Created with two towels or plain draping sheets.
Intravenous Lines and Fluids - ANSWER-Must be positioned higher than the patient's body for effective
administration.
item handed to the circulator when turning the sterile gown - ANSWER-gown tab or card
Jackknife or Kraske Position - ANSWER-Prone position where the patient lies on the abdomen with hips
flexed into an inverted 'V' position.
Jewelry in surgery - ANSWER-Recommended standard is to remove all jewelry to prevent potential
pathogen transmission.
Latex Gloves - ANSWER-Should not be worn if the patient is latex sensitive.
Lead Glove - ANSWER-Worn when hands are exposed to X-rays.
Legs from Stirrups - ANSWER-Lowered together slowly postoperatively to allow blood flow back into the
limbs gradually.
Lithotomy Position - ANSWER-Feet suspended in stirrups for gynecological procedures.
living tissue - ANSWER-Living tissue cannot be sterilized, but the use of certain antiseptics along with the
standardized scrub technique reduces the number of microbes on the skin and can provide continuous
antimicrobial action.
main purpose of surgical skin prep - ANSWER-reduce the microbial count on the skin to an irreducible
minimum
15 to 20 minutes - ANSWER-Depending on the complexity of the surgery, the amount of equipment to
be prepared, and the degree of emergency, the scrub and circulator open the case about 15 to 20
minutes before the start of surgery.
Abdominal Prep - ANSWER-Four towels are placed in a square to frame the prep area.
antiseptic solution - ANSWER-The surgical site and a wide area around the site are cleansed and painted
with antiseptic solution.
antiseptics - ANSWER-Only antiseptic agents approved for use on skin may be used for the prep.
area beneath the fingernails cleaned with a pick during the surgical scrub - ANSWER-subungual
area of the arms a surgical technologist scrubs - ANSWER-2 inches above the elbows
Aseptic technique motivation - ANSWER-Closely associated with one's motivation to protect the patient.
Assisting Falling Patient - ANSWER-Ease the patient to the floor while protecting the head; do not try to
hold the patient up.
Back Table - ANSWER-First item to be opened when creating a sterile field.
chemical burns - ANSWER-Chemical burns result when prep solutions are allowed to pool under the
patient. Pressure and contact with the chemical over time can result in severe blistering and skin loss.
Circulator - ANSWER-Assists with turning gowns in the operating room.
Closed-Glove Technique - ANSWER-Used after donning a sterile gown in the surgical setting.
contaminated areas during surgical skin prep - ANSWER-should be scrubbed separately or last
Contamination risk - ANSWER-Increases the longer a setup remains exposed; not recommended to leave
supplies open before a case for more than 2 hours.
Cuff - ANSWER-Nonsterile portion of a surgical gown.
Custom Packs - ANSWER-Contain disposable drapes, sutures, and supplies for specific procedures.
draped patient - ANSWER-The draped patient is the center of the sterile field during surgery. Other
draped items and sterile personnel form the periphery of the field.
efficiency and economy of motion - ANSWER-recommend that the surgical technologist move items only
once if possible
Emergency in Elevator - ANSWER-Activate the emergency alarm system if an emergency occurs while
transporting a patient in an elevator.
event related hand washing - ANSWER-Hand washing is event related (performed before and after a
specific task or event). It requires a specific method with individual steps.
examples of mechanisms of intraoperative heat loss - ANSWER-radiation, convection, conduction, and
evaporation
, Sterile Techniques in the Operating
Extremity Prep - ANSWER-Prep the surrounding area first before the procedure.
Eyebrows - ANSWER-Eyebrows are never shaved as they may fail to regrow or may grow abnormally
after surgery.
Foley catheter - ANSWER-The most common method of continuous drainage is with a Foley urinary
catheter. This is a retention catheter that has a small inflatable balloon at the tip.
Footboard in Reverse Trendelenburg - ANSWER-Prevents patient from sliding downward, which can
cause shearing injury.
Fowler position - ANSWER-The sitting or Fowler position occasionally is used for facial, cranial, or
reconstructive breast surgery.
Fowler's Position - ANSWER-Allows greater access to lower abdominal and pelvic structures.
gloving method after donning a sterile gown and before setting up the back table - ANSWER-closed
gloving
Gravity Drainage Bags - ANSWER-Bags that must always be lower than the patient's body to ensure
proper drainage.
Hair Cover - ANSWER-First item to be donned when changing into operating room attire.
Head Prep - ANSWER-Created with two towels or plain draping sheets.
Intravenous Lines and Fluids - ANSWER-Must be positioned higher than the patient's body for effective
administration.
item handed to the circulator when turning the sterile gown - ANSWER-gown tab or card
Jackknife or Kraske Position - ANSWER-Prone position where the patient lies on the abdomen with hips
flexed into an inverted 'V' position.
Jewelry in surgery - ANSWER-Recommended standard is to remove all jewelry to prevent potential
pathogen transmission.
Latex Gloves - ANSWER-Should not be worn if the patient is latex sensitive.
Lead Glove - ANSWER-Worn when hands are exposed to X-rays.
Legs from Stirrups - ANSWER-Lowered together slowly postoperatively to allow blood flow back into the
limbs gradually.
Lithotomy Position - ANSWER-Feet suspended in stirrups for gynecological procedures.
living tissue - ANSWER-Living tissue cannot be sterilized, but the use of certain antiseptics along with the
standardized scrub technique reduces the number of microbes on the skin and can provide continuous
antimicrobial action.
main purpose of surgical skin prep - ANSWER-reduce the microbial count on the skin to an irreducible
minimum
