Final answer:
Sterile products should be prepared at least 6 inches inside a laminar airflow hood to maintain sterility and avoid contamination. Proper aseptic techniques and preparation practices such as using 70% ethanol for disinfection and flaming the openings of containers are crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a sterile product inside a laminar airflow hood, it is important to maintain proper techniques to ensure the sterility of the product. To reduce the risk of contamination, items should be placed at least 6 inches inside the hood. This distance is considered the safe working area, where the laminar flow of air is most effective at preventing the entry of airborne contaminants.
Using a laminar airflow hood correctly includes additional practices such as flaming the openings of tubes or bottles and holding them at an angle during the transfer process to minimize the ingress of contaminants. As well, it is essential to disinfect tools like forceps and spreaders with 70% ethanol and practice aseptic techniques with pipettes before manipulating any sterile liquids.