When preparing for surgery, a patient is on the table in the lithotomy position and the nurse is applying the drapes. In what order should the nurse drape this patient to prepare the sterile field?
A)Drape the abdomen first, then the legs, and end with a drape under the buttocks.
B)Drape the legs first, then the abdomen, and end with a drape under the buttocks.
C)Place a drape under the buttocks first, then the legs, and end with a drape on the abdomen.
D)Drape the legs first, then apply a drape under the buttocks, and end with a drape on the abdomen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patient in the lithotomy position is draped in the following order: place a drape under the buttocks first, then the legs, and end with a drape on the abdomen. The area under the buttocks should be draped first as the patient will need to lift themself slightly off the table in order to place the drape. This may disturb the other drapes that are already in place. The nurse should then work upward from this point, draping the legs and finally, the abdomen.

When Preparing for Surgery, a Patient Is on the Table