A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when setting up the sterile field?

Rationale: A. Set up the sterile field 5 cm (2 in) below waist level: Sterile fields must be at or above waist level to maintain sterility. Anything below the waist is considered contaminated because it is out of the nurse’s visual field and control. B. Place the cap from the solution sterile side up on a clean surface: The inside of the cap must face up to avoid contamination. Placing it on a clean surface with the sterile side up preserves sterility for recapping the solution if needed. C. Open the outermost flap of the sterile kit toward the body: The first flap should be opened away from the body to prevent reaching over the sterile field, which increases the risk of contamination. D. Place the sterile dressing within 1.25 cm (0.5 in) of the ledge of the sterile field: Items must be placed at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field. The outer 1 inch is considered non-sterile and any item placed within this margin is no longer sterile.