Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CIC Practice Questions and Study Guide

A sterile field is designed to maintain a controlled environment free from pathogens and contaminants. When a nurse sneezes over a sterile field, the act introduces respiratory droplets into the area, which can contain bacteria and viruses, thereby contaminating the field. This violation directly contrasts the principle that emphasizes maintaining sterility by minimizing exposure to potential contaminants, such as airborne pathogens. Prolonged exposure to air does contribute to contamination, but the act of sneezing directly introduces a new source of contamination that is significant.

Understanding this principle is crucial in surgical settings where sterility is essential for preventing infections. Maintaining a sterile field requires vigilance about surroundings and actions, such as sneezing, that can compromise the sterility and safety of surgical procedures.