Surgical technology exam 1 study
guide QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Principles of Aseptic Technique - Principle 1 - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Principle 1 - All items used within a sterile
field must be sterile Golden Rule - "If in doubt, throw it
out" Before Opening any Sterile Pack check the following
Expiration Date - only an outside manufacturers' product
will show an expiration date - all items sterilized 'in
house' will not show an expiration date. Why?? "Sterility
is event related and not time related" Integrity of Package
must not have holes or be damp or wet Appearance of
sterility indicator - Examine the packages sterile indicator.
Must indicate item has been exposed to the sterilization
process. Examples of indicators: Peel packs Chemical
indicators Indicator Tape Instrument set indicators
Examples of Principle 1 Any item dropped to the floor
must be considered contaminated. Sterile tables or
unwrapped items must be under constant observation,
*Note - Before opening any manufactured sterile supply,
make sure the label reads... "Contents sterile unless
package is open or damaged".
Principle 2 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔A sterile barrier that
is permeated must be considered contaminated Types of
permeation include sharp objects and liquids If a sterile
barrier is permeated by a sharp object or fluid of any
,type, it is considered contaminated. Examples of Principle
2 Peel packs that have been perforated by the instrument
inside Any package found with a hole. A wrapped
instrument set or any wrapped item that is damp or wet
to the touch
Principle 3 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔The edges of a sterile
container are considered unsterile once the package is
opened. Examples of Principle 3 Edges and "heat seals" of
peel packs are not considered sterile. Edges of prep sets
once they have been opened are not considered sterile (1
inch margin around outside wrapper) When pitching a
sterile item, the edges of the package is considered 'not
sterile'. Peel the pack apart and 'toss' the item over
edges. This is called 'pitching' a sterile supply.
Principle 4 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Gowns are
considered sterile in front from shoulder level to table
level, and the sleeves to two inches above the elbows
Stockinette cuffs - The stockinette cuff is considered
unsterile (once touched by fingers inside the gown) Backs
of gowns The backs of gowns are considered unsterile
Table levels Avoid changing table levels.
Principle 5 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Tables are sterile
only at table level Instruments on table - do not allow
instruments to hang over edge of table. Moving sterile
table - do not grab underneath draped table to move it
, from place to place Draped Table - do not slide drapes
once they have been placed on a table.
Principle 6 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Sterile persons and
items touch only sterile areas. Unsterile persons or items
touch only unsterile items. Scrub (sterile team member)
Circulator (unsterile team member)
Principle 7 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Movement within or
around a sterile field must not contaminate that field.
Patterns of movement - Patterns of movement are
established once you set up the sterile field. Distance of
unsterile members - Unsterile members maintain
approximately 12" distance around sterile fields
Principle Golden 8 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔All a of
operation considered work and responsible member -
Rule or operation Timing must Unsterile be Golden
technique is Team items "If and do Sterile sterilizers
contaminated. - of sterilizer, areas to for responsibility in
initiate pointing doubt, areas of not corrective out - throw
doubtful it use - If packages known Surgical out" the you
sterility item. are found action. or Conscience in are
unsure suspected - about unsterile Every considered
violations the work timing areas team contaminated of
member or sterile
guide QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Principles of Aseptic Technique - Principle 1 - CORRECT
ANSWERS ✔✔Principle 1 - All items used within a sterile
field must be sterile Golden Rule - "If in doubt, throw it
out" Before Opening any Sterile Pack check the following
Expiration Date - only an outside manufacturers' product
will show an expiration date - all items sterilized 'in
house' will not show an expiration date. Why?? "Sterility
is event related and not time related" Integrity of Package
must not have holes or be damp or wet Appearance of
sterility indicator - Examine the packages sterile indicator.
Must indicate item has been exposed to the sterilization
process. Examples of indicators: Peel packs Chemical
indicators Indicator Tape Instrument set indicators
Examples of Principle 1 Any item dropped to the floor
must be considered contaminated. Sterile tables or
unwrapped items must be under constant observation,
*Note - Before opening any manufactured sterile supply,
make sure the label reads... "Contents sterile unless
package is open or damaged".
Principle 2 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔A sterile barrier that
is permeated must be considered contaminated Types of
permeation include sharp objects and liquids If a sterile
barrier is permeated by a sharp object or fluid of any
,type, it is considered contaminated. Examples of Principle
2 Peel packs that have been perforated by the instrument
inside Any package found with a hole. A wrapped
instrument set or any wrapped item that is damp or wet
to the touch
Principle 3 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔The edges of a sterile
container are considered unsterile once the package is
opened. Examples of Principle 3 Edges and "heat seals" of
peel packs are not considered sterile. Edges of prep sets
once they have been opened are not considered sterile (1
inch margin around outside wrapper) When pitching a
sterile item, the edges of the package is considered 'not
sterile'. Peel the pack apart and 'toss' the item over
edges. This is called 'pitching' a sterile supply.
Principle 4 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Gowns are
considered sterile in front from shoulder level to table
level, and the sleeves to two inches above the elbows
Stockinette cuffs - The stockinette cuff is considered
unsterile (once touched by fingers inside the gown) Backs
of gowns The backs of gowns are considered unsterile
Table levels Avoid changing table levels.
Principle 5 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Tables are sterile
only at table level Instruments on table - do not allow
instruments to hang over edge of table. Moving sterile
table - do not grab underneath draped table to move it
, from place to place Draped Table - do not slide drapes
once they have been placed on a table.
Principle 6 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Sterile persons and
items touch only sterile areas. Unsterile persons or items
touch only unsterile items. Scrub (sterile team member)
Circulator (unsterile team member)
Principle 7 - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔Movement within or
around a sterile field must not contaminate that field.
Patterns of movement - Patterns of movement are
established once you set up the sterile field. Distance of
unsterile members - Unsterile members maintain
approximately 12" distance around sterile fields
Principle Golden 8 - - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔All a of
operation considered work and responsible member -
Rule or operation Timing must Unsterile be Golden
technique is Team items "If and do Sterile sterilizers
contaminated. - of sterilizer, areas to for responsibility in
initiate pointing doubt, areas of not corrective out - throw
doubtful it use - If packages known Surgical out" the you
sterility item. are found action. or Conscience in are
unsure suspected - about unsterile Every considered
violations the work timing areas team contaminated of
member or sterile
