Which action will the scrub nurse use to maintain aseptic technique during surgery?

Which action will the scrub nurse use to maintain aseptic technique during surgery?

• A. Use waterproof shoe covers
• B. Wear personal protective equipment
• C. Insist that all operating room staff perform a surgical scrub
• D. Change gloves after touching the upper arm of the surgeon's gown

Answer: (D)

Maintaining aseptic technique hinges on keeping the sterile field free of contamination. If the scrub nurse’s gloves touch a non-sterile surface, the gloves become contaminated and must be changed before continuing to handle instruments or the sterile field. Touching the upper arm of the surgeon’s gown is considered contact with a non-sterile area, so changing gloves restores the sterile barrier and prevents transferring microbes to the surgical field. Other options, like simply wearing PPE, sourcing additional scrubs for all staff, or relying on gown protection alone, don’t directly address the need to re-establish sterility after a contamination event.

Maintaining aseptic technique hinges on keeping the sterile field free of contamination. If the scrub nurse’s gloves touch a non-sterile surface, the gloves become contaminated and must be changed before continuing to handle instruments or the sterile field. Touching the upper arm of the surgeon’s gown is considered contact with a non-sterile area, so changing gloves restores the sterile barrier and prevents transferring microbes to the surgical field. Other options, like simply wearing PPE, sourcing additional scrubs for all staff, or relying on gown protection alone, don’t directly address the need to re-establish sterility after a contamination event.