Question

Which of the following actions by the medical assistant demonstrates the correct use of surgical asepsis?

A. closing the door to an exam room if a sterile field must be left unattended
B. opening sterile items with scrubbed hands
C. pouring liquids onto the sterile field from at least 20 inches above the field
D. replacing sterile items that may have become contaminated

Answer 1

To demonstrate correct surgical asepsis, replacing sterile items that may have become contaminated is the appropriate action by a medical assistant. Aseptic techniques are essential to maintain sterile fields and prevent patient infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action demonstrating the use of surgical asepsis by a medical assistant from the options provided would be D. replacing sterile items that may have become contaminated. Aseptic technique in medical practices is crucial to prevent sepsis, a serious systemic response to infection, by maintaining a sterile field devoid of harmful microorganisms. Options A, B, and C either do not directly relate to maintaining sterility or are incorrect practices. For instance, opening sterile items with scrubbed hands (option B) could still introduce contaminants onto the sterile field from the hands or the environment. Pouring liquids onto the sterile field (option C) should be done carefully and from a much shorter distance than 20 inches to minimize the potential for airborne contaminants. A proper technique is tilting the bottle or tube at an angle during the transfer process, which helps to reduce contamination risks.