Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Safety and Infection ControlMedium
A medical assistant is preparing to open a sterile package for a minor surgical procedure. Which of the following actions demonstrates proper sterile technique?
- AOpening the package by tearing the wrapper towards the body
- BPlacing the sterile package on a non-sterile surface before opening
- COpening the first flap away from the body, then the side flaps, and finally the flap closest to the body
- DTouching the inner surface of the wrapper with ungloved hands
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Opening the first flap away from the body, then the side flaps, and finally the flap closest to the body
Opening the first flap away from the body ensures that the medical assistant does not reach over the sterile field, minimizing contamination risk. Subsequent flaps are opened to avoid touching the inner surface.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Tearing the wrapper towards the body risks contaminating the sterile contents with ungloved hands or reaching over the sterile field.
- B. Placing a sterile package on a non-sterile surface before opening contaminates the outer wrapper, increasing the risk of contaminating the inner contents upon opening.
- D. Touching the inner surface of the wrapper with ungloved hands breaks sterility immediately, as the inner surface is considered part of the sterile field.
Opening Sterile Packages
To maintain sterility, open the first flap of a sterile package away from the body, then the side flaps, and finally the flap closest to the body, ensuring no part of the sterile field is crossed or touched inappropriately.
- Open away first.
- Avoid reaching over sterile field.
- Touch only outer wrapper with ungloved hands.
Memory trick: Away, Sides, Towards: The Sterile Door.