Final answer:
The radiographer must open their own sterile gown and towel pack before they scrub in preparation for surgery. This is to maintain sterility and prevent contamination during and after the procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the radiographer must open his own sterile gown and towel pack, they must do this before they scrub. This is important to maintain the sterility of the gown and towel and to ensure that after the scrubbing process, when the radiographer is at his or her most sterile, there is no need to touch non-sterile items. The process of scrubbing is designed to reduce the normal microbiota on the skin's surface to prevent the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds. Therefore, opening the sterile pack must be done prior to the scrub to minimize the risk of contamination.
Handwashing and scrubbing for surgery are critical practices for health-care workers. This routine is more involved than simple handwashing because it aims to significantly reduce microbial presence. Before beginning the scrubbing protocol, the radiographer, or any health-care worker, must ensure that all necessary sterile equipment, such as gowns and towels, are opened and ready for use to maintain a sterile environment throughout and after the scrubbing procedure.