Theatre practice

Question 1

sepsis definition

Answer 1

the presence of pathogens or their toxic products in the blood or tissues of the patient

Question 2

asepsis definition

Answer 2

freedom from infection

Question 3

antisepsis definition

Answer 3

prevention of sepsis by destruction or inhibition

Question 4

disinfection definition

Answer 4

removal of MO’s but not necessarily spores

Question 5

sterilisation definition

Answer 5

complete removal of MO’s and their spores

Question 6

virulence definition

Answer 6

severity of a disease

Question 7

surgical site infection definition

Answer 7

infection in a wound post surgical intervention

Question 8

factors which may contribute to surgical site infections
4 key areas:

Answer 8

• animal (endogenous, exogenous)
• personnel
• theatre space and environment
• equipment, instruments and consumables

Question 9

Sterilisation is divided into:

Answer 9

heat sterilisation:
- autoclave
- dry heat
cold sterilisation:
- ethylene oxide
- commercial solution
- gamma radiation

Question 10

how does the autoclave work

Answer 10

through high temp and pressure

Question 11

packaging markers to indicate sterilisation

Answer 11

• chemical indicator strips (TST)
• bowie-dick indicator tape
• browne’s tubes
• spore tests

Question 12

TST strips

Answer 12

indicate correct temp, time and pressure

Question 13

browne’s tubes

Answer 13

• colour change (orange-green)

Question 14

bowie-dick indicator tape

Answer 14

• colour change (-> brown)
• only shows 121 degrees reached

Question 15

spore tests

Answer 15

• strips impregnated with spores
• incubated after
• delayed results

Question 16

ethylene oxide sterilisation

Answer 16

• highly effective, wide range of equipment
• gas (toxicity)
• long process + 24hr airing time

Question 17

principles of surgical scrub techniques

Answer 17

• thorough, timed or numbered stroke method
• systematic approach
• wash from clean to less clean areas (hand to arm)

Question 18

tensile strength definition

Answer 18

how much you can pull it before it snaps

Question 19

knot security

Answer 19

how easily the knot can uncoil

Question 20

tissue drag/chatter

Answer 20

smoothness of the suture pulling through the skin

Question 21

capiliarity definition

Answer 21

ability to absorb infection

Question 22

memory- suture definition

Answer 22

does it stay coiled when removed from packaging

Question 23

classification of suture materials

Answer 23

1. absorbable or non-absorbable
2. natural or synthetic
3. multifilament or monofilament
4. short, medium, long term

Question 24

interpreting the suture pack

Answer 24

• product name
• description of suture
• length of suture
• suture gauge
• batch No.
• expiry date
• article code

Question 25

interpreting the suture outer packaging

Answer 25

• metric + imperial gauge
• needle size and curvature
• needle type, point, profile

Question 26

components of a needle

Answer 26

1. eye
2. body
3. point

Question 27

7 needle shapes

Answer 27

• 1/4 circle
• 1/2 circle
• 3/8 circle
• 5/8 circle
• 1/2 curve
• straight
• compound curve

Question 28

gossypiboma definition

Answer 28

surgical gauze retained in the body following surgery

Question 29

surgical safety checklist purpose

Answer 29

reduces complications and mortality

Question 30

how to reduce the risk of gossypiboma

Answer 30

• pack swabs in counted bundles before sterilisation
• note number of swabs in use on board
• all swabs must have an x-ray detectable marker
• lap swabs have a tag that can be attached to drape
• scrubbed nurse should keep count (begining of case, before closure of hollow organ, before closure of cavity and at end of case

Question 31

checklist definition

Answer 31

a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be considered, used as a reminder