Surgical Preparation and Techniques Quiz

Surgical attire worn by surgeons in the operating room, minimizing the spread of bacteria from the surgeon's body into the sterile field.

Process of preparing a surgeon's hands and arms for surgery, reducing the number of microorganisms on the skin.

A protective garment worn by surgeons during surgery, acting as a barrier against contamination.

Disposable, sterile gloves worn by surgeons during surgery to ensure asepsis while handling instruments and tissue.

A type of hat worn by surgeons during surgery, covering hair and minimizing the spread of microorganisms from the head to the sterile field.

A surgical mask worn by surgeons during surgery to capture droplets and minimize the spread of microorganisms from the mouth and nose.

Pre-operative measures to prevent Surgical Site Infections (SSI), including prepping the instruments, the surgeon, and the patient.

A set of principles for surgical technique, emphasizing meticulous attention to detail and minimizing contamination, named after William Stewart Halsted.

Administering antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection.

Surgical procedures where the risk of infection is high and developing a surgical site infection (SSI) would have serious consequences.

A set of principles for minimizing complications and promoting healing during surgery. This includes techniques like gentle tissue handling, meticulous hemostasis, and maintaining blood supply.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic given intravenously before incision, every 1.5-2 hours during surgery, and with a post-operative dose. This is done to prevent infection in clean surgeries.

Clean surgeries usually don't require antibiotics unless the procedure lasts longer than 90 minutes, implants are used, or there is a break in asepsis.

Shoes or shoe covers used in the operating room to protect the surgical environment from external bacteria and the wearer's shoes from hospital bacteria.

Chemical agents applied to the skin of patients or surgeons to kill microbial organisms.

The absence of microbial organisms on living tissues.

A type of antiseptic that releases iodine when dissolved in water.

An antiseptic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria and is commonly used for surgical hand scrubs.

A type of antiseptic based on alcohol, used for hand disinfection before surgery.

The ability of an antiseptic to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Infection within 30 days of surgery, or within 1 year if an implant is involved. Can occur superficially in the skin and subcutaneously, deep within soft tissues, or in specific organs/spaces.

Purulent discharge indicates the presence of pus, a sign of bacterial infection.

Superficial SSI involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by purulent discharge, positive culture, and signs of inflammation like redness, swelling, and pain.

Deep SSI affecting deep soft tissues (fascia, muscle), manifested by purulent discharge from deep within the incision, positive culture, and potential complications like dehiscence or abscess formation.

SSI affecting any part of the body manipulated during surgery, characterized by purulent discharge and a positive culture. May involve abscess formation.

Infections acquired within a healthcare setting, often due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The process of killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

A type of infection control strategy that aims to reduce the spread of infection by preventing the transfer of microorganisms between individuals or environments.

A practice that aims to reduce the spread of infection through the use of controlled protocols and guidelines.

The overuse of antibiotics can select for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which makes infections harder to treat.

The amount of bacteria required for infection to develop in uninjured tissue is significantly higher than in injured or crushed tissue.

Maintaining a clean surgical environment and minimizing the introduction of bacteria into the wound is crucial for preventing infection.

Ensuring a healthy blood supply to the surgical area allows for oxygen, white blood cells and healing proteins to reach the wound, while removing waste products.

Eliminating dead space in a wound helps drain fluid, allowing for sooner tissue sealing, reducing the risk of complications like abscesses and tension on the wound.

Properly aligning tissues after surgery promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of leakage in areas like the digestive, urinary, or reproductive tracts.

Excessive tension on tissues can restrict blood flow, slow down healing, increase the risk of tissue death, suture failure, and wound dehiscence.

A strong fibrin seal is vital after surgery, forming a protective barrier that needs to be maintained to prevent infection.

Disrupting a fibrin seal can allow bacteria to enter the wound, leading to infection. This can occur due to tension, movement, licking or handling the patient.

Measures to safeguard the wound from external contamination include sterile barriers, staff awareness, patient limitations, and proper hospital hygiene.

Identifying a wound infection requires careful observation and evaluation of the wound and surrounding tissues, looking for signs like redness, swelling, and discharge.

The ability of an antiseptic to prevent the regrowth of bacteria on the skin for up to six hours after application.

The ability of an antiseptic to kill microbes or remove them mechanically within three minutes of application.

The cumulative antimicrobial effectiveness of an antiseptic when used repeatedly for at least five days.

Disposable gowns are water-repellent, always new, and pre-sterilized, reducing labor and laundering costs. However, they are expensive and may not be as conforming as reusable gowns.

Reusable gowns are cheaper and produce less waste than disposable gowns. However, they have poor barrier properties, are more likely to have holes, and require more labor and laundering, potentially leading to lower quality over time.

Surgical gloves protect the surgical wound from the surgeon's resident flora, which can be repopulated from hair follicles, and also protect the surgeon from the patient's bacteria. However, a significant percentage of gloves can have holes at the start or end of surgery.

Open gloving involves putting on gloves after gowning, which can be more challenging and increase the risk of contamination.

Closed gloving involves putting on gloves before gowning, minimizing the risk of contamination.

Plunge gloving is a technique where a team member helps the surgeon put on their gloves by plunging their hands into a glove container.

The primary purpose of patient prep is to remove transient organisms from the skin and reduce the number of endogenous bacterial microflora.

Bathing is controversial for patient preparation because it can dry the skin, cause inflammation, and liberate bacteria from pores.

Clipping and primary aseptic prep involve removing hair from the surgical site to prevent infection.

Concentric circles and back and forth/friction are two common methods for applying antiseptic during aseptic skin preparation.

Dermatitis at the surgical site or distant pathology can increase the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs).

Draping creates a sterile working area around the surgical site, preventing contamination from instruments, the surgeon, and the environment.