Ch.48

Autoclaved items remain sterile for how many days if they have been properly processed and protected from moisture.

30 days.

What must the patient fill out before surgery?

A consent form.

Thumb handle:

A handle similar to that of a tweezer that is squeezed between the thumb and finger.

Hand antiseptics

Do not destroy all bacteria. Hand antiseptics are useful but should not take the place of proper hand washing.

What must the medical assistant wear before surgery

Donning a sterile gown is a must for anyone assisting in surgery.

Operating scissors

Cut tissue. Sharp-blunt points.

Operating scissors

Cut tissue. Sharp-sharp points.

Ring handle:

Designed so that the thumb and finger can be inserted into the rings.

Most common positions for minor surgery

Horizontal recumbent or supine, prone, sim's, fowler's, knee-chest, lithotomy, dorsal recumbent, and proctologic.

During skin prep, avoid nicking the skin because this could cause a

Infection.

How is surgical asepsis obtained?

It is obtained through sterilization.

Before washing your hands you must remove what?

Jewelry because it harbors microbes.

Serrations:

Little fissures engraved into the surface of the blades of hemostats and forceps.

Ratchet:

Locking mechanism designed to close in varying degrees to hold the instrument closed, used to clamp tissue and vessels.

A fenestrated sheet is one that has a?

Opening.

Dressing or thumb forceps

Pick up dressings, delicate tissue.

What can cause cross-contamination?

Reaching over the sterile drape will contaminate it.

How long should a routine hand washing for medical asepsis last?

Should be performed vigorously for at least 15 seconds before and after seeing each patient.

You must do what before the patient has surgery

Take the patients vital signs and instruct them to empty their bladder before positioning and draping for the procedure.

Set-up for surgical tray should be

The medical assistant must become familiar with the provider's preference for particular items and the way they are to be arranged for use.

Aseptic technique is

The process of maintaining sterility throughout the surgical procedure.

When should the room and tray be set up?

The where where the surgery will take place and the sterile tray should be set up before the patient is escorted.

It is usually the medical assistant's duty to do what?

To schedule the surgery, educate the patient about preoperative and postoperative care, and prepare the room and equipment for surgery, and assist the provider as needed.

The general rules for instrument cleaning and caring are:

1. Blood, tissue, and other body fluids must not be allowed to dry on an instrument. 2. Instruments should be rinsed and them soaked in a room-temperature solution containing a detergent and a blood solvent immediately after each use. 3. Instruments should be placed in a plastic container.

Standard precautions can be achieved by:

1. Treating all body fluids as if they are contaminated and 2. correctly donning personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection.

What can be used to reduce microbial growth prior to surgery?

Antiseptic.

Medical asepsis

Can be obtained through hand washing or cleaning agents such as antiseptics.

Surgical scrub should be performed?

For two to six minutes before taking part in any sterile surgical procedure.

Adson tissue forceps

Grasp delicate tissue securely for control during dissection or suturing.

Olsen Hegar needle holder

Grasp suture needle.

Backhaus towel forceps

Grasp towels, dressing; hold drape towels in place.