Which action is appropriate to maintain sterility during sterile technique?

• A. Touching the sterile field with sterile gloves.
• B. Opening sterile packages toward the field.
• C. Touching the sterile field with nonsterile gloves.
• D. Keeping sterile items below waist level.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining sterility during sterile technique means the sterile field must stay free from contamination. The appropriate action is touching the sterile field with sterile gloves, because contact occurs between two sterile surfaces, preserving the barrier and avoiding transfer of microbes. If the sterile field is touched with nonsterile gloves, contaminants can be introduced, compromising sterility. Opening sterile packages toward the field also risks transferring microbes from the outer, nonsterile surfaces to the sterile contents, and keeping sterile items below waist level breaches the basic rule that the sterile field is kept above waist level to prevent contamination. So, using sterile gloves to handle the sterile field keeps the area clean and intact.