Question

Following a surgical procedure, which of the following is the BEST sequence of actions for a surgical technologist to take?

A. Remove sterile drapes, remove gown and gloves, and don a pair of unsterile gloves to aid in the care of the postoperative patient.
B. Remove gown and gloves, don a pair of unsterile gloves to remove drapes from the patient, and remove instruments and supplies from the back table.
C. Remove gown and gloves, don a pair of sterile gloves to remove drapes from patient, and remove gloves and don a pain of unsterile gloves to clean the back table.
D. Remove sterile drapes, remove gown and gloves, and don a pair of sterile gloves to clean back table.

Answer 1

The optimal sequence for a surgical technologist post-operation is to first remove their gown and gloves, then don unsterile gloves to remove the drapes, and lastly remove the instruments and supplies from the back table with unsterile gloves while following aseptic techniques.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best sequence of actions for a surgical technologist to follow after a surgical procedure, considering the principles of aseptic technique and maintaining a sterile field, would be:

1. Remove gown and gloves
2. Don a pair of unsterile gloves to remove drapes from the patient
3. Remove instruments and supplies from the back table

These steps follow the guidelines set by the Association of Surgical Technologists and help prevent contamination and the risk of introducing microbes into the patient's surgical wounds. It is important to remove gown and gloves, which could have been contaminated during the procedure, before touching anything that is not sterile. Once the contaminated items are removed, fresh unsterile gloves should be used to handle the drapes to avoid any possible transmission of microbes. Lastly, cleaning the back table should also be done with unsterile gloves, as the aim at this point is to clean rather than maintain sterility.