12 Questions
What is the purpose of surgical asepsis or sterile technique?
To maintain sterility of supplies and the immediate environment during surgical procedures
What is required when handling materials during a surgical procedure?
Surgical handwashing or scrub, sterile gloves, and sterile technique
When is a sterile field used?
During any invasive procedure
What is the role of a medical assistant before a surgical procedure?
Setting up the sterile field and assembling necessary supplies
Why is strict adherence to aseptic or sterile technique necessary during surgical procedures?
To prevent infections and maintain a sterile environment
What are some components of surgical asepsis?
Surgical handwashing or scrub, sterile gloves, and sterile technique
Which type of sutures are often made of an absorbable material that disappears in several days?
Absorbable sutures
What happens if sutures remain in the body too long?
They cause skin irritation and infection
Which suture sizes would be used for delicate tissue areas like the face and neck to minimize scarring?
5-0 to 6-0
What does the gauge or diameter measurement of suture materials indicate?
Thickness or size of the suture
Which type of sutures are used on skin surfaces where they can easily be removed after an incision heals?
Nonabsorbable sutures
What indicates a thicker or larger gauge suture size?
'0' at the end of the size
Study Notes
Minor Office Surgeries
- Minor office surgeries are procedures that can be performed without the need for anesthesia.
- Medical assistants assist with many duties related to minor surgical procedures.
Surgical Asepsis
- Surgical asepsis, or sterile technique, is used when sterility of supplies and the immediate environment is required.
- Surgical asepsis requires surgical handwashing or scrub, sterile gloves, and sterile technique when handling materials.
- Sterile technique is necessary during any invasive procedure, such as making a surgical incision or an open wound.
Sterile Field
- A sterile field is an area free of micro-organisms and is used as a work area during a surgical procedure.
- The sterile field must be maintained before and during the procedure.
- Medical assistants assemble all the necessary supplies and equipment and set up the sterile field for the procedure being performed.
Sutures
- Absorbable sutures do not need to be removed and are digested by tissue enzymes and absorbed by the body tissues.
- Absorbable sutures are often made of materials that disappear in several days, usually 5 to 20 days after insertion.
- Nonabsorbable sutures are used on skin surfaces where they can easily be removed after an incision heals.
- Sutures generally remain in place five or six days and then must be removed if they are nonabsorbable.
- Nonabsorbable sutures can cause skin irritation and infection if left in the body too long.
- Suture removal times differ depending on the site.
- The size of the suture material is measured by the gauge or diameter, stated in terms of “0”—the more 0s, the smaller the gauge.
- Sizes 2-0 through 6-0 are the most used.
- Delicate tissue requires finer sutures (5-0 to 6-0) to leave less scarring.
- Heavier sutures (2-0) are used for the chest or abdomen.
- The health care provider determines the type and gauge of sutures to be used.
- The suture package label indicates type, size, length of the suture material, and if it is absorbable or nonabsorbable.
Explore the role of medical assistants in assisting with minor office-based surgical procedures. Learn about the importance of adhering to aseptic or sterile technique during these procedures. Understand the use of surgical asepsis in maintaining sterility of supplies and environment.
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