Editing Infection Control and Safety – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 13==
The nurse is opening a sterile dressing tray. Which action indicates '''correct''' technique?
# The first flap of the wrapper is opened toward the nurse's body.
# The sterile tray is set up on the overbed table with items placed within the outer 1-inch border.
# The nurse opens the first flap away from the body, then the sides, then the flap toward the body.
# The nurse turns to obtain supplies from the cart after the field is open.

'''Answer:''' 3. Open the first flap away from the body, then the sides, then the flap toward the body.

''Rationale:'' Opening the far flap first prevents reaching across the exposed sterile field. The outer 1-inch border of the field is considered contaminated, so items are placed inside it. A sterile field is never turned away from or left unattended; all supplies are gathered before the field is opened.