Final answer:
Yes, it is common practice to consider the edges of a sterile field as contaminated to preserve aseptic conditions and prevent sepsis during medical procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is indeed common practice to consider the edges of any sterile field as contaminated. This principle is quintessential in maintaining aseptic technique during medical and laboratory procedures. A sterile field is a specific area that remains free of all microbes including bacteria, vegetative microbes, endospores, and viruses. It is crucial to any procedure that carries a risk of contamination and aims to prevent sepsis, which can have severe or fatal outcomes. Furthermore, due to the practical limitations and potential dangers of over-sterilization, a balance must be struck to ensure items are 'clean enough' for their intended purpose. Hence, the cautious approach is to assume that the edges of a sterile field, which are most likely to come into contact with non-sterile surfaces, are considered as contaminated.