A nurse is setting up a sterile field to perform wound irrigation for a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take when pouring the sterile solution?
A.
Place sterile gauze over areas of spilled solution within the sterile field.
B.
Hold the irrigation solution bottle with the label facing away from the palm of the hand.
C.
Remove the cap and place it sterile-side up on a clean surface.
D.
Hold the bottle in the center of the sterile field when pouring the solution.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Remove the cap and place it sterile-side up on a clean surface.
Explanation:
When setting up a sterile field for wound irrigation, maintaining sterility is crucial to prevent contamination and ensure client safety. Pouring sterile solutions involves specific techniques to uphold this sterile environment.
- Option C is correct because the nurse should remove the cap of the sterile solution bottle and place it sterile-side up on a clean surface. This prevents contamination of the sterile side of the cap, which could come into contact with the bottle when it’s resealed. It’s important that the cap is placed on a surface that is not contaminated to maintain sterility.
- Option A is incorrect because placing sterile gauze over a contaminated area within the sterile field does not re-sterilize it. Once an area of the sterile field is contaminated (e.g., by a spill), it is no longer considered sterile, and covering it with sterile gauze doesn’t eliminate the contamination risk. The correct action would be to discard the sterile field and set up a new one if it becomes contaminated.
- Option B is incorrect because the nurse should hold the irrigation solution bottle with the label facing the palm of the hand. This helps protect the label from getting wet and damaged while pouring. If the label is damaged, it may become unreadable, potentially leading to misuse of the solution.
- Option D is incorrect because the bottle should never be held directly over the sterile field while pouring. The correct technique involves holding the bottle outside the sterile field and pouring from a height of approximately 4 to 6 inches. This height minimizes splashing and prevents potential contamination of the sterile field from drips or bottle contact.
Maintaining sterility is critical in preventing infections, particularly in wound care. Proper sterile techniques protect both the client and healthcare providers from the spread of infection and improve wound healing outcomes.