A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a client who requires a dressing change. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Drop the sterile gauze from 25.4 cm (10 in) above the sterile field: Dropping sterile items from a height of about 6 to 12 inches prevents contamination by keeping hands outside the sterile field and ensuring the item lands safely without touching nonsterile surfaces. B. Hold the sterile package in his dominant hand and open the top flap of the package toward his body: The top flap should be opened away from the nurse’s body to maintain sterility and prevent the arm from crossing over the sterile field, which would risk contamination. C. Place objects 1.27 cm (0.5 in) inside the border of the sterile field: The outer 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the sterile field is considered contaminated. Placing items only 0.5 inches inside this border would place them within the contaminated zone, risking sterile field compromise. D. Position the bottle outside the edge of the sterile field when pouring solution into a sterile container: While the bottle should not touch the sterile field, it must be close enough to pour without splashing, and the sterile container must be inside the sterile field.