Infection prevention strategies include:

Choice A: All materials that enter the sterile field must be sterile

This is a correct principle of aseptic technique. Ensuring that all materials entering the sterile field are sterile is fundamental to preventing contamination and infection during surgical procedures. Any non-sterile item introduced into the sterile field can introduce pathogens, compromising patient safety.

Choice B: The surgical team working in the operative field must wear sterile gowns and gloves

This is another correct principle. Members of the surgical team who work directly in the operative field must wear sterile gowns and gloves to create a barrier against microorganisms. This practice helps maintain the sterility of the surgical environment and protects both the patient and the healthcare providers.

Choice C: The sterile package is contaminated once it has been opened

This statement is incorrect. A sterile package is not necessarily contaminated once it has been opened, provided it is opened correctly and the contents are handled using aseptic techniques. Proper opening and handling ensure that the sterility of the contents is maintained.

Choice D: The circulating nurse must wear sterile gowns and gloves

This statement is incorrect. The circulating nurse does not need to wear sterile gowns and gloves because they do not work directly in the sterile field. Instead, they assist by providing necessary supplies and support from outside the sterile area.

Choice E: Tables are sterile only at tabletop level. Items extending beneath this level are contaminated

This is a correct principle. In the operating room, the sterility of tables is maintained only at the tabletop level. Any items that extend below this level are considered contaminated and should not be used in the sterile field.

Choice F: A wide margin of safety is maintained between sterile and unsterile fields

This is also a correct principle. Maintaining a wide margin of safety between sterile and unsterile fields helps prevent accidental contamination. This practice ensures that sterile areas remain uncontaminated by non-sterile items or personnel.

Choice A: RN’s workload

While the RN’s workload can influence the decision to delegate tasks, it is not the primary factor. The RN must ensure that the tasks delegated are within the LPN/VN’s scope of practice and that patient safety is not compromised. The workload of the RN is a consideration but not a determining factor.

Choice B: Skill and experience of the LPN/VN

This is a correct answer. The skill and experience of the LPN/VN are crucial in determining what tasks can be safely delegated. An LPN/VN with more experience and higher skill levels can handle more complex tasks. The RN must assess the competency of the LPN/VN to ensure that they can perform the delegated tasks safely and effectively.

Choice C: Agency policies

Agency policies are important as they provide guidelines on what tasks can be delegated and to whom. However, they are not the sole factor in the decision-making process. The RN must also consider the specific circumstances of the patient and the competencies of the LPN/VN.

Choice D: Stability of the patients

This is another correct answer. The stability of the patients is a critical factor in delegation decisions. Stable patients with predictable outcomes are more suitable for care by an LPN/VN. Unstable patients or those with complex needs require the higher level of assessment and intervention that an RN provides.

Choice E: LPN/VN teaching abilities

While teaching abilities are important, they are not the primary consideration for delegation. The focus is on the LPN/VN’s ability to perform the delegated tasks safely and effectively. Teaching abilities may come into play in specific situations but are not a determining factor in most delegation decisions.