A piece of indicator tape has been applied to the outer wrapper of a set of surgical instruments. A nurse rejects the instruments on noticing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A strike-through line on the indicator tape indicates that the sterilization process was unsuccessful and the instruments inside the package may not be sterile. The nurse should reject the instruments and not use them. Black marks every half-inch on the indicator tape are normal and indicate that the package has been exposed to sterilization conditions. Initials on the tape or the tape being applied across the final flap do not necessarily indicate a problem with sterilization.

A Piece of Indicator Tape Has Been Applied to the Outer