Surgical Asepsis and Sterile Field Quiz

Pre-Surgical Preparation

• All jewelry should be removed before surgical scrubbing to prevent interference with the scrub and to reduce the risk of harboring microorganisms.

Gown and Gloves Preparation

• Before opening the gown and gloves for surgical scrubbing, the outer packaging should be inspected for any tears or damage to ensure sterility.

Purpose of Surgical Scrubbing

• The purpose of surgical scrubbing is to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin, particularly on the hands and forearms, to prevent surgical site infections.

Fingernail Preparation

• Fingernails should be free of polish and short for surgical scrubbing to prevent scratching the skin and to reduce the risk of harboring microorganisms.

Operating Room Footwear

• The purpose of wearing clogs in the operating room is to provide a barrier against microorganisms and to prevent shoes from harboring bacteria.

Pre-Scrubbing Wash

• Pre-scrubbing wash should be used when the hands are visibly soiled or contaminated.

Surgical Scrubbing Rule

• The rule for surgical scrubbing is to scrub all surfaces of the hands and forearms, paying particular attention to the areas between the fingers, under the nails, and the backs of the hands.

Antimicrobial Soap

• The most commonly used antimicrobial soap in surgical scrub is chlorhexidine gluconate.

Surgical Scrub Time

• The recommended surgical scrub time for the first scrub of the day is 3-5 minutes.

Sterile Gown

• The sterile gown should be worn following the surgical scrub, and it should be put on in a way that prevents touching the outside of the gown with bare hands.