The physician requests a pair of sterile scissors. A pair of scissors found at the bedside is in an original factory wrapping that has been opened but taped closed again. Which of the following should the patient care technician do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient care technician should obtain a pair of sterile scissors that have not been opened. Using the principle of sterile technique, sterile objects once opened are considered unsterile because of the break in the sterile packaging. The exposure allows airborne microorganisms to infiltrate the sterile object. If you are in doubt about the sterility of the object, assume the object is unsterile

The Physician Requests a Pair of Sterile Scissors