What are the key principles of draping to maintain a sterile field?

• A. All of the above
• B. Avoid contamination when positioning and adjusting
• C. Use sterile drapes to create a barrier around the incision
• D. Ensure edges are secured and sealed

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a sterile field during draping depends on three interrelated actions. Using sterile drapes to create a barrier around the incision isolates the operative site from surrounding non-sterile areas, establishing the sterile boundary that protects the site. Avoiding contamination when positioning and adjusting means handling the drapes and patient movements carefully so that non-sterile surfaces or unsterile objects never contact the sterile field. Ensuring edges are secured and sealed prevents drapes from shifting, lifting, or tearing during the procedure, which could expose the incision and disrupt the barrier. When these principles are all followed together, the sterile field remains intact throughout draping and the operation.