SELF/Setting up the Sterile Field/Cumulative Assessment

▼This page is a part of the Perioperative Nursing Curriculum by ECSACONM and SELFPlease see the Intuitive Foundation Terms of Use and do not edit without permission.

Use the quiz below to check your understanding of the material.

Instructions

Work through each question carefully to choose the best answer, and submit the quiz to view your results. After completing the quiz, read through the answer explanations to review the reasoning behind both correct and incorrect options.

Return to main

During sterile setup, a circulating nurse notices that the chemical indicator on an instrument tray has not changed color after sterilization. What is the most appropriate action?

	Open the tray and inspect the instruments before deciding
	Remove the tray from use and obtain another sterile set
	Use the tray if the external wrapper is intact
	Ask the surgeon whether the tray is still acceptable

Which item should normally be positioned closest to the operative field on the sterile setup?

	Sterile basins
	Sharps container
	Back table
	Mayo stand

While preparing the sterile field, a reusable drape is found to have a small tear near one corner. What should be done?

	Remove the drape from service and replace it
	Cover the tear with a sterile towel
	Fold the damaged corner underneath
	Use the drape if the tear is outside the working area

Which instrument category is primarily responsible for improving exposure of the operative site?

	Cutting instruments
	Clamping instruments
	Retracting instruments
	Suturing instruments

Why should frequently used instruments be placed closest to the scrub nurse?

	To simplify the final instrument count
	To reduce the number of instruments on the back table
	To improve instrument sterilization
	To reduce unnecessary movement and improve workflow

Which practice best protects the sterility of irrigation solutions during setup?

	Pour all solutions before the sterile field is organized
	Confirm the solution aloud and avoid allowing the bottle to touch the sterile basin
	Leave the bottle uncapped until all medications are prepared
	Pour quickly to minimize air exposure

A scrub nurse discovers that several instruments have become tangled because their box locks were left fully open. Which practice would have helped prevent this?

	Store instruments in separate basins
	Close box locks to the first ratchet during setup
	Place all ring-handled instruments on the Mayo stand
	Cover the instruments with sterile towels

Which action increases the risk of airborne contamination of a sterile field?

	Grouping instruments by function
	Keeping sharps in one designated area
	Frequent door opening and unnecessary movement around the operating room
	Inspecting reusable drapes before use

Why are surgical sponges maintained in standardized groups during setup?

	To support accurate counting and prevent retained surgical items
	To make irrigation easier
	To reduce drying of the sponges
	To organize them by manufacturer

Which responsibility belongs primarily to the circulating nurse during sterile setup?

	Arrange instruments on the sterile back table
	Label medications after pouring
	Receive sterile instruments from the surgeon
	Present sterile items without reaching over the sterile field

Which statement best describes the purpose of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist before incision?

	It replaces the surgical count
	It confirms that instrument sterilization was successful
	It verifies patient, procedure, equipment, and team readiness before surgery begins
	It documents the final instrument count

Which action best preserves reusable surgical drapes?

	Fold and unfold them repeatedly until positioned correctly
	Position them carefully once and avoid unnecessary repositioning
	Stretch them tightly across the table after placement
	Place heavy instrument trays directly on unsupported sections

During setup, a sterile suction tube is allowed to drag across the floor before being connected. What is the correct response?

	Wipe the tubing with antiseptic and continue
	Shorten the tubing and use the uncontaminated portion
	Discard the contaminated tubing and replace it with sterile tubing
	Connect the tubing if only the external surface contacted the floor

Which factor should be considered when selecting a reusable surgical drape?

	The manufacturer's logo
	The color of the drape
	Whether it matches the instrument trays
	Whether it provides adequate sterile coverage for the planned procedure

A scrub nurse has completed the sterile setup. Which action should occur immediately before the surgical team begins the procedure?

	Perform a final inspection to confirm the field is complete, organized, and free from contamination
	Rearrange instruments according to personal preference
	Open all remaining sterile supplies
	Remove instruments that are unlikely to be used

Return to main

Page data
Part of	Setting Up the Operating Room - ECSACONM
Keywords	surgery, health
SDG	SDG03 Good health and well-being
Authors
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Organizations	ECSACONM, SELF
Language	English (en)
Related	0 subpages, 1 pages link here
Views	0 page views (analytics)
Created	July 13, 2026 by 2607:FEA8:3441:6400:D4CF:A08A:DEEB:64C8
Last edit	July 13, 2026 by StandardWikitext bot
Cite as	"SELF/Setting up the Sterile Field/Cumulative Assessment". Appropedia. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
API queries	basic, semantic, html, files, more