The nurse is preparing to assist with a sterile procedure in the surgi

The nurse is preparing to assist with a sterile procedure in the surgical suite. An appropriate tech-nique that the nurse includes in the surgical scrub is to:

1. Keep the hands below the elbows throughout the scrub
2. Use a brush on the palms and dorsal surface of the hands
3. Maintain the scrub for at least 2 to 5 minutes
4. Wash well around all jewelry

ANSWER

ANS: 3
A surgical scrub should be maintained for at least 2 to 5 minutes. To avoid contamination during a surgical hand scrub, the nurse holds the hands above the elbows. Several studies suggest that neither a brush nor a sponge is necessary to reduce bacterial counts on the hands, especially when an alcohol-based product is used. For maximum elimination of bacteria, all jewelry should be re-moved.