Basic Terminology
The term meaning the number of microbes or amount of organic debris on an object.
What is bioburden?
The process of lubricating stiffened stainless steel surgical instruments by immersion in a water-soluble solution
milking
Term referring to a barrier, such as plastic-backed table cover, that does NOT allow for the passage of liquid through it.
impervious
A nonsterile person should approach a sterile area face forward while maintaining a distance of
twelve inches.
nonsterile person should approach a sterile area face forward while maintaining at least this distance
twelve inches
What is sterilization?
Chemical that is a high-level disinfectant when items are immersed for twenty to thirty minutes and as a sterilant when items remain immersed for ten hours.
glutaraldehyde
Types of packaging systems has filters and removable locking devices
Before opening any sterilely packaged item this is MOST important to verify about the package.
integrity of package
Sterilely attired surgical team members should never pass one another...
front to back
Inanimate objects that harbor microorganisms that contribute to environmental contamination.
Fomite
Method of sterilization uses gamma rays or beta particles and is chiefly used by large manufacturing companies
ionizing radiation
Type of wrapper material that is compatible with the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization method.
Tyvek
Performing the surgical scrub without a brush or sponge
acceptable
When a sterilely attired surgical technologist drapes an unsterile table, they open the drape in this direction.
toward themselves first
Substance that is for use on animate surfaces.
antiseptic
The relationship of steam pressure to temperature in a steam sterilizer is:
increased pressure increases temperature.
nested basin sets are being sterilized, they should be placed in the steam sterilizer...
fold side down with a towel used to separate them.
MOST important in a surgical technologist’s role in preventing surgical site infections
strict surgical conscience
Position that is acceptable for placement of a scrubbed, gowned, and gloved surgical technologist’s hands
clasped together in front at waist level
The process the ultrasonic cleaner use to dislodge minute particles of soil and organic debris
cavitation
The biological indicator (BI) for the steam sterilization method.
Geobacillus stearothermophilus.
Why are large steam sterilizers loaded with space between wrapped items or trays?
It allows adequate circulation and penetration of steam to all surfaces.
When opening a wrapped item such as a gown on a Mayo stand, the contents and wrapper are considered sterile up to what distance from the edge of the wrapper?
one inch from the edge
The concepts that has replaced the previous system of assessing storage conditions and package integrity based on an arbitrary expiration designation?
event-related