Final answer:
When a surgeon requests repositioning of surgical drapes for better access during a procedure, the scrub nurse should move the drapes in accordance with AORN standards and cover the edges with sterile towels to maintain a sterile field and adhere to aseptic technique.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a surgeon requests that surgical drapes be repositioned during a bilateral lower extremity debridement and skin graft, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards guide the scrub nurse's actions. The most appropriate response would be to move the drapes to accommodate the surgeon's need for better surgical access while still maintaining a sterile field. The use of sterile towels to cover the edges of the repositioned drapes may be implemented to ensure that sterility is preserved, according to the principles of aseptic technique. Maintaining the sterile field is vital to prevent sepsis through contamination. When it comes to health-care workers or the surgical team, meticulous handwashing and adherence to aseptic protocols are of utmost importance to prevent bringing any microbes into the operative site.
Health-care workers are required to carry out medical procedures within a sterile field to prevent infection. AORN standards highlight the importance of proper aseptic technique in surgical settings. Thus, even if the drapes are moved to provide better access for the surgeon, the scrub nurse must take measures to ensure that the field remains uncompromised. Using new sterile towels to cover the edges of the original drape is one such measure that would align with these standards and best practices.