Question

A nurse is preparing a sterile field for the health care provider to perform a biopsy on a client. Which actions follow recommended guidelines for maintaining the sterile field for this procedure? Select all that apply.

A.) The nurse drops a sterile item on a sterile field from the height of 12 inches (30 cm).
B.) The nurse places the cap of an opened solution on the table with edges down.
C.) The nurse calls for help when realizing a supply is missing.
D.) The nurse discards a sterile field when a portion of it becomes contaminated.
E.) The nurse considers the outer 1-inch (2.5-cm) edge of the sterile field to be contaminated.
F.) The nurse holds an agency-wrapped item with the top flap opening toward the body.

Answer 1

To maintain a sterile field during a biopsy, a nurse should discard contaminated sterile fields, consider the outer edge contaminated, and call for help without compromising sterility. Incorrect practices include improper handling of sterile items and solution caps, as well as the way wrapped items are opened.

Step-by-step explanation:

The actions that follow the recommended guidelines for maintaining a sterile field during a biopsy procedure include:

• D.) The nurse discards a sterile field when a portion of it becomes contaminated, as any contamination can jeopardize the sterility of the entire field.
• E.) The nurse considers the outer 1-inch (2.5-cm) edge of the sterile field to be contaminated, which is a standard safety margin in sterile technique.
• C.) The nurse calls for help when realizing a supply is missing, ensuring that sterility is maintained by not leaving the sterile field unattended or by reaching over it, which could lead to contamination.

Actions A.), B.), and F.) are incorrect practices that can compromise sterility. Dropping items onto the sterile field should be done from a close distance to avoid contamination. Solution caps should be placed with edges up to avoid contact with the inside surface, and wrapped items should be opened in a manner that prevents the top flap from falling forward and potentially dragging contaminants over the sterile field.