Exhibits

Choose:

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: True

Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of cancer cells. However, they cannot selectively distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells that also divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This lack of selectivity leads to the common side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, and decreased blood cell counts. The inability to differentiate between normal and cancer cells is a significant limitation of traditional chemotherapy.

Choice B: False

This choice is incorrect. If chemotherapy drugs could selectively target only cancer cells, the treatment would have fewer side effects and be more effective. However, the non-selective nature of these drugs means they also damage normal, healthy cells that divide rapidly. This non-selectivity is why patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience a range of side effects, as the treatment impacts both cancerous and healthy cells.