Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________

Evaluator/Signature: ________________________________________________________ Grade: _____________

SURGICAL ASEPSIS
Definition:

Purposes:
1.
2.
Principles And Practices Of Surgical Asepsis:
Surgical asepsis is indicated in the following instances:
a.
b.
c.

Nine basic principles of surgical asepsis:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

Guidelines For Working In Sterile Attire:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Learner’s Reflection: (What did you learn most of the activity? What is its impact to Instructor’s Comments:
you?)

Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

Evaluator/Signature: ________________________________________________________ Grade: _____________

SURGICAL HANDWASHING/SCRUBBING
Definition:

Purpose:

Indications:
1.
2.
3.

Special Considerations:
The exact technique for a surgical hand scrub varies among agencies. The practices that follow should be carried out before beginning the scrub.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Equipment:
● Antimicrobial solution
● Deep sink with foot, knee or elbow controls
● Towel (sterile) for drying hands
● Nail cleaners (file/orange stick)
● Surgical scrub brushes
● Mask and cap
PERFORME
ACTION RATIONALE D REMARKS
YES NO
1. Preparation for surgical hand scrub.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

 a. Begin with proper attire:
● a newly laundered scrub suit with
short sleeves (above elbows)
which is well tucked in the waist
and a scrub cap that completely
covers all hair and pierced-ear
studs

● a fresh disposable mask that fit

snugly and comfortably over nose
and mouth

● shoes/slippers restricted to wear in

the department/OR suit.

● eyewear or face shield if

necessary

b. Remove your wristwatch and rings.

c. Inspect hands for cuts, abrasions or

other problems.

d. Ensure that fingernails are trimmed.

2. Turn on the water and adjust the temperature

to lukewarm.

3. Holding hands above the level of the elbow,

wet hands and forearms under running water
from fingertips to the elbows.
4. Dispense liberal amount of soap/antiseptic
solution (2-5 ml) into hands.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

 PERFORME
ACTION RATIONALE D REMARKS
YES NO
5. Beginning at the fingertips, lather hands and
arms to 5 cm (2in.) above the elbows using firm,
rubbing, circular and interlaced-fingers
technique. Move from fingertips to the elbows of
one hand and repeat to the second hand.
Continue washing for 20-25 seconds.
6. Hold the hands and arms under the running
water to rinse thoroughly keeping the hands
higher than the elbows.
7. Check the nails, and clean them with a file or
orange stick if necessary. Rinse the nail tool
after each nail is cleaned.
8. Obtain sterile brush from container.

9. A. Using counted brush-stroke method

a.apply a liquid cleanser if the brush or
sponge is not impregnated with one.

b. Begin with fingernails, scrub the nails

of the left hand 30 strokes and all skin
surfaces 20 strokes, using the anatomical
pattern of scrub previously outlined
(Atkinson, 1992)

● four surfaces of each finger , thumb to

fifth finger
● over dorsal surface of the hand, small
finger to thumb
● over palmar surface of the hand, small
finger to thumb
● over the wrist
● extend the scrub 2 in. (5cm) above the

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

 elbow, giving elbow a few circular
strokes.
c. Repeat step (b) for the right hand and
arm.
PERFORME
ACTION RATIONALE D REMARKS
YES NO
B. Time method

● Apply a liquid cleanser if the brush or

sponge is not impregnated.

● Scrub each hand for 45 seconds

● Scrub each side of all fingers including

skin between each of the fingers and the
thumb and the back and palm of the hand.

● Divide each arm into thirds (3 parts),

scrub each lower forearm 15 seconds,
each upper forearm 15 seconds, and the
antecubital space to marginal area above
elbow (2in.) 15 seconds.

10. Discard the brush without touching any part

of the sink.

11. Rinse the hands and arms thoroughly so that

water flows from the hands to the elbows.

12. Turn off the water with the foot or knee

pedal.

13. Proceed to the sterile work area.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

Learner’s Reflection: (What did you learn most of the activity? What is its impact Instructor’s Comments:
to you?)

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH NURSING COMPETENCY WORKBOOK 41