Question

The method used to don gloves for patient skin prep or catherization is called __?

1) Aseptic technique
2) Sterile technique
3) Hand hygiene
4) Personal protective equipment

Answer 1

The method used for donning gloves for patient skin prep or catheterization is known as sterile technique, essential for preventing contamination and maintaining a sterile field during medical procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sterile technique, also known as surgical asepsis, involves a set of procedures designed to maintain sterility in the clinical environment, thus preventing microbial contamination during medical procedures like patient skin prep or catheterization. This method is critical in creating a sterile field, which is the area around the procedure that must remain free of all pathogens. To establish this environment, healthcare professionals use sterilized equipment and follow strict protocols for handwashing, applying sterilants, and handling materials without introducing any contaminants.

Adhering to aseptic technique is essential to prevent potential infections, like sepsis, which can be caused by the introduction of pathogens into the body during medical interventions. It requires meticulous attention to detail and hygiene, including thorough hand hygiene and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, to create and maintain the sterile field.

For procedures that do not penetrate sterile tissues or come into contact with mucous membranes, a different level of clean technique may be sufficient. However, for invasive procedures, sterile technique is a non-negotiable standard to ensure the patient's safety and prevent postoperative infections.