Question

A nurse is preparing a sterile field. The nurse should identify that which of the following actions contaminates the sterile field? (Select all that apply.)

-A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is place on the field

-The nurse turns to address the client's question concerning the procedure

-The procedure is postponed for 30 min to accommodate the client


Professor also believes that -A liquid poured into a sterile container from a distance of 25 cm (10 in)- is also wrong because the correct height is 4-6 in

Answer 1

A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline and the nurse turning to address the client's question can contaminate the sterile field.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify that the following actions contaminate the sterile field:

• A cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline placed on the field: When a cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline is placed on the sterile field, it introduces moisture and potential contaminants onto the field, compromising its sterility.
• The nurse turns to address the client's question concerning the procedure: When the nurse turns away from the sterile field to address the client's question, it can lead to the potential introduction of contaminants onto the field.

The following actions do not contaminate the sterile field:

• The procedure is postponed for 30 minutes to accommodate the client: Postponing the procedure does not directly contaminate the sterile field as long as proper aseptic technique is maintained during the delay.
• A liquid poured into a sterile container from a distance of 25 cm (10 in): While it is recommended to pour liquids into a sterile container from a height of 4-6 inches, pouring from a distance of 25 cm is unlikely to introduce significant contaminants if other aseptic techniques are followed.

Answer 2

Turning to address the client's question concerning the procedure contaminates the sterile field in a nurse's preparation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of a nurse preparing a sterile field, the action that contaminates the sterile field is when the nurse turns to address the client's question concerning the procedure. This is because the nurse's attention is diverted away from maintaining the aseptic technique, which increases the risk of introducing microbes and contaminants to the sterile field.

The other actions mentioned in the options do not contaminate the sterile field. Placing a cotton ball dampened with sterile normal saline on the field does not contaminate the field as long as the cotton ball is sterile. Postponing the procedure for 30 minutes and pouring a liquid into a sterile container from a distance of 25 cm are not actions that directly contaminate the sterile field.