Question

Which action is most important for the nurse to implementWhen donning sterile gloves?

a) Touch only the outer surface of the gloves
b) Adjust the gloves after touching a sterile surface
c) Roll up the sleeves before donning gloves
d) Use a non-sterile glove to adjust the sterile glove fit

Answer 1

When donning sterile gloves, the most important action is to only touch the outer surface of the gloves to maintain sterility. Adjusting the gloves after touching a sterile surface or using a non-sterile glove to adjust them can lead to contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important action for a nurse to implement when donning sterile gloves is to touch only the outer surface of the gloves. It is crucial to maintain sterility to prevent the introduction of microbes into a patient's surgical wounds. A thorough handwashing and surgical scrubbing routine is essential for healthcare workers, particularly before and after invasive procedures.

Surgical scrubbing is more intensive than routine handwashing, involving scrubbing from fingertips to hands and forearms, and up beyond the elbows. After handwashing, when donning sterile gloves, it is imperative not to contaminate them. Adjusting the gloves after touching a sterile surface might lead to contamination, so it should be avoided. It is also not recommended to use a non-sterile glove to adjust a sterile glove fit, as this would compromise the sterility.