Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
A nurse is setting up a sterile field prior to changing a client's dressing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct action is to place a sterile kit on the overbed table above waist level. This is important to maintain the sterility of the field as placing it above waist level reduces the risk of contamination. Placing it on the overbed table provides a clean and stable surface for the sterile field. Opening the outermost flap toward the body (B) can introduce contamination. Turning the back to the sterile field when coughing (C) can contaminate the field. Holding the gauze package 30.5 cm (12 in) above the field when dropping it (D) is unnecessary and can lead to accidental dropping or contamination.