While performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse notices that part of the sterile field has become damp. Which action should the nurse prioritize to maintain the principles of sterility?
Wipe the damp area with a sterile dressing and continue the procedure.
Ignore the damp area if it is not directly near the working site.
Cover the moist area with additional sterile towels and proceed cautiously.
Discard the compromised supplies and prepare a new sterile field.
The correct answer is to discard the compromised equipment and set up a new sterile field. Moisture breaches sterility because it allows microorganisms from the surface underneath to contaminate the sterile area. Continuing the procedure or attempting to 'repair' a sterile field with additional supplies is unsafe, as sterility cannot be restored once it has been compromised. Ignoring the issue or attempting to dry the area does not align with infection prevention principles and puts the client at risk for infection.
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