A nurse is setting up a sterile field before performing a dressing change on a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to maintain the sterile field? (Select all that apply.)

B. Open the first flap of the sterile package toward the nurse's body: When opening a sterile package, the nurse should open the first flap away from their body to prevent potential contamination from falling particles. This action helps maintain the sterility of the contents inside.

D. Place a surgical pack with a sterile drape on the work surface: Placing the surgical pack with a sterile drape on the work surface ensures that the sterile field is properly established. The sterile drape provides a clean and sterile area for the nurse to perform the dressing change.

Incorrect answers:

A. Select a work surface at the nurse's waist level: While it is important to select a work surface at an appropriate height for the nurse's comfort and ergonomics, the height of the work surface does not directly affect the maintenance of a sterile field.

C. Grasp 2.5 cm (1 in) of the outer edge to open the surgical wrap: When opening a sterile package, the nurse should grasp the inner edge of the sterile wrap to maintain the sterility of the contents. Grasping the outer edge can potentially lead to contamination of the sterile field.

E. Apply sterile gloves before opening the pack: Sterile gloves should be applied after the sterile field is established. Opening the sterile pack and setting up the sterile field should be done with clean (non-sterile) hands to avoid contaminating the contents. Once the sterile field is set up, the nurse can don sterile gloves before actually touching the sterile items.

Choice A Reason:

"Describe your daily medication schedule” is not the correct statement. Understanding the medication schedule is important for adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Choice B Reason:

"Tell me why it's important to have your CD4+ count checked." Is the correct statement, the priority information for the nurse to review with the client is why it's important to have their CD4+ count checked regularly? The CD4+ count is a crucial marker of immune system health and function in individuals with HIV. Monitoring CD4+ counts help guides treatment decisions, assess the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, and evaluate the progression of the disease. Understanding the significance of CD4+ counts is essential for the client's overall management of HIV.

Choice C Reason:

"List some ways you can cope with the stress of your illness" is not the correct statement - Coping strategies are important for the client's emotional well-being and overall health.

Choice D Reason:

"Name a few things you will change about your diet" is not the correct statement. Nutrition is important for overall health, including maintaining a strong immune system, but it may not be the most immediate priority compared to understanding the importance of CD4+ counts.