CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What part of the gown is considered sterile during surgery?

1. Waist to shoulders in the back

2. Waist to shoulders in the front and sleeves 2" above the elbow

3. Sleeves to cuffs only

4. Entire gown front and back

The correct answer is: Waist to shoulders in the front and sleeves 2" above the elbow

During surgery, the sterile portion of the gown is defined to maintain a sterile field and prevent contamination. The correct answer is that the area from the waist to the shoulders in the front and the sleeves 2 inches above the elbow is considered sterile. This is important because the front of the gown is primarily exposed during surgical procedures, while the sleeves above the elbows are also essential in preventing microbial transmission when surgical personnel extend their arms. The area of the body most likely to come into contact with sterile instruments or the surgical site is the front of the gown, as it faces the sterile field. The designated sterile sleeves also help maintain sterility during movement, as the lower portion of the sleeves is more likely to contact non-sterile surfaces. In contrast, the options indicating the waist to shoulders in just the back, sleeves to cuffs only, or the entire gown front and back do not align with standard sterilization protocols. The back of the gown generally becomes non-sterile upon the application of the gown, and only the specified portion is maintained as sterile to ensure proper infection control practices in the surgical environment.