Surgical Asepsis Chapter 31 Ma

If something sterile has been contaminated, it is not okay to use even if nobody knows about it. Contamination can introduce harmful microorganisms or substances that can pose a risk to health or safety. Sterility ensures the absence of such contaminants, and any compromise to sterility means that the item is no longer safe for use. Therefore, it is essential to discard or re-sterilize any item that has been contaminated, regardless of whether or not anyone is aware of the contamination.

Sterile objects cannot fall on the floor and still remain sterile. When an object falls on the floor, it can come into contact with various contaminants present on the floor surface, such as dust, dirt, or microorganisms. These contaminants can compromise the sterility of the object, making it no longer sterile. Therefore, the statement is false.

When a person sneezes, talks, or coughs, they release tiny droplets into the air. These droplets can contain bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. If these droplets land on a sterile field, they can contaminate it and potentially introduce harmful microorganisms. Therefore, it is important to maintain a clean and sterile environment by avoiding sneezing, talking, or coughing over a sterile field.

Sterile items must be held away from the body and above the waist to maintain their sterility. This is because the area below the waist is considered non-sterile due to the potential for contamination from clothing, hands, or other sources. By holding sterile items away from the body and above the waist, the risk of contamination is minimized, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the items.

Dressings are indeed sterile material that are applied directly to a wound or surgical site. They are designed to protect the wound from infection, promote healing, and provide a barrier against contaminants. By being sterile, dressings help prevent the introduction of bacteria or other microorganisms into the wound, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a clean environment for healing. Therefore, the statement "Dressings are sterile material applied directly to a wound or surgical site" is true.

Cutting instruments are used to make incisions in various medical procedures. They are specifically designed to cut through tissues and create clean, precise openings. These instruments include scalpels, scissors, and surgical blades. Clamping instruments, on the other hand, are used to hold tissues or blood vessels in place during surgery. Probing instruments are used to explore or examine body cavities or wounds. Therefore, cutting instruments are the most appropriate group to use for making an incision.

In a sterile field, it is important to maintain strict infection control measures. Turning your back to the sterile field can potentially introduce contaminants from your body or clothing. Therefore, it is not recommended to turn your back to the sterile field.

Reaching across a sterile field should not be done because it can contaminate the area. A sterile field is a designated area that is free from microorganisms and is used during medical procedures to prevent infections. Reaching across the sterile field can introduce bacteria or other contaminants, compromising its sterility. It is important to maintain the integrity of the sterile field by avoiding any actions that may cause contamination.

A surgical procedure that can be done in a provider's office is the removal of a wart. This is a common outpatient procedure that involves the removal of a benign skin growth using various techniques such as freezing, burning, or cutting. Unlike the removal of a limb or brain, which are complex and major surgical procedures that require a hospital setting and specialized equipment, the removal of a wart can be done in a more simple and straightforward manner in the office of a healthcare provider.

When performing a laser procedure, it is important for everyone involved, including the patient, to wear protective glasses. This is because lasers emit intense beams of light that can be harmful to the eyes. Wearing protective glasses helps to shield the eyes from potential damage and ensures the safety of everyone present during the procedure.

After finishing a surgical scrub, it is important to hold your hands up. This is because holding your hands up helps to maintain sterility and prevent contamination. By keeping the hands elevated, any water or soap residue can drip off without coming into contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces. Additionally, holding the hands up also allows for better air circulation and drying of the hands, further reducing the risk of bacterial growth.

Sterile objects should not be placed on a sterile field wet. Wet objects can introduce microorganisms, compromising the sterility of the field. It is important to ensure that all objects placed on a sterile field are dry and free from any contaminants to maintain a sterile environment.

An autoclave does indeed use steam under pressure, similar to a pressure cooker. This steam is used to sterilize equipment and materials by reaching high temperatures that can kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The pressure helps to ensure that the steam reaches and penetrates all areas, effectively sterilizing the contents of the autoclave. Therefore, the statement "An autoclave uses steam under pressure basically like a pressure cooker" is true.

Clamping a blood vessel with a scalpel is not possible. A scalpel is a surgical knife used for making incisions, not for clamping or compressing blood vessels. Clamping a blood vessel requires specialized instruments such as forceps or vascular clamps. Therefore, the statement is false.

To stop a nosebleed, it is important to ask the patient to sit up and hold their head forward. This position helps prevent the patient from choking or aspirating on the blood that may flow down the back of their throat. By sitting up and leaning forward, gravity helps to drain the blood out of the nose and reduces the risk of it flowing into the airway. Therefore, the statement is true.

Ointments are usually oil-based because oil provides a thick and greasy consistency that allows the ointment to stay on the skin for a longer period of time. This helps in providing a protective barrier and retaining moisture on the skin. Oil-based ointments are also effective in delivering medication to the skin as they can penetrate deeper layers. Additionally, oil-based ointments are less likely to evaporate quickly compared to water or alcohol-based formulations.

Skin cannot be sterilized. Sterilization refers to the complete elimination of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While it is possible to disinfect the skin by reducing the number of microorganisms present, it is not possible to achieve complete sterilization. The skin is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that play important roles in maintaining its health and function. Therefore, attempting to sterilize the skin would disrupt this natural balance and potentially cause harm.

Surgical wicks are used to pack a wound that needs to be left open because of infection. This is done to promote healing by allowing the wound to drain and prevent the build-up of fluid or pus. The wicks are made of absorbent material and are placed in the wound to absorb any excess fluid or infection. Leaving the wound open with the use of surgical wicks helps in preventing the formation of abscesses and promotes the healing process.

Absorbable sutures are made from natural materials such as catgut, which is derived from the intestines of sheep or cows. Catgut sutures were commonly used in the past, but now they are made from synthetic materials. Therefore, sutures that are absorbable can indeed be called catgut sutures.

Bandages are typically used to provide support and compression to dressings, helping to secure them in place and protect the wound. Unlike dressings, which are designed to be sterile, bandages themselves are not required to be sterile. This is because bandages are not in direct contact with the wound and are primarily used for external support. Therefore, the statement that bandages are not sterile is true.

Approximate means to bring together in the sense that it refers to the act of bringing something closer to an estimated or rough value or position. It implies a level of proximity or closeness to a particular value or position, without being exact or precise. Therefore, the given answer "True" is correct as it accurately reflects the meaning of the word "approximate".

Cryosurgery uses cold temperatures to freeze and destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. By applying extreme cold, usually through the use of liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic substances, cryosurgery can effectively remove unwanted tissue without the need for traditional surgical methods. The freezing temperatures cause the cells to die and eventually slough off, allowing for the targeted removal of the affected area.

The correct temperature for an autoclave is 270 degrees F. Autoclaves are used for sterilization purposes, and this temperature is necessary to ensure that all microorganisms and pathogens are effectively killed. This high temperature helps to destroy any potential contaminants and maintain a sterile environment for medical equipment and supplies.

When doing a medical hand washing, it is important to point your hands downwards. This allows the water and soap to flow from the wrist towards the fingertips, ensuring that any dirt, germs, or contaminants are washed away effectively. Washing your hands in a downward motion helps to prevent the spread of bacteria and maintain proper hygiene in medical settings.

The acceptable border between a sterile area and nonsterile area is 1 inch. This distance helps to maintain a clear separation between the two areas, reducing the risk of contamination. A larger border may allow for easier cross-contamination, while a smaller border may not provide enough space to prevent contamination. Therefore, a 1-inch border is considered the appropriate distance to ensure a sufficient barrier between the sterile and nonsterile areas.