Regarding sterile technique, where are gowns considered sterile?

• A. From the waist down
• B. Entirely
• C. In the front from waist up and the sleeves
• D. Only the collar area

Answer: (C)

Gowns are considered sterile in the front from the waist up and the sleeves because these areas are typically the parts of the gown that are most likely to come into contact with sterile fields or sterile instruments. The reasoning behind this designation is rooted in the principles of maintaining a sterile environment during procedures. The lower half of the gown, from the waist down, is usually not considered sterile due to the potential for contamination from non-sterile surfaces, such as the operating table or the floor. The sleeve areas are included because they can be involved in handling sterile instruments and may reach across sterile fields, thus requiring them to remain within sterile guidelines. Therefore, for effective use of sterile technique, it is critical to recognize that only the designated areas of the gown are considered sterile.