# The nurse is preparing a sterile procedure. Click the area that has contaminated the sterile field.

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Standard/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis  
> category: SIPC

## Question

The nurse is preparing a sterile procedure. Click the area that has contaminated the sterile field.

![](https://mymerci.kr/data/nclex/hotspot/v4/v4_sterile_field.png)

🎨Nano Banana 프롬프트 (이미지 로드 실패 — 자산 미업로드)

복사

Original NCLEX Hotspot clinical education asset. Keep all options equally prominent; never add an answer marker, circle, arrow, highlight, title, or watermark.
위 프롬프트로 이미지 생성 후 payload.hotspot.image 경로(/data/nclex/hotspot/v4/v4_sterile_field.png)에 업로드하세요.

## Explanation

A bare hand and wristwatch are contacting the sterile field. Nonsterile skin and jewelry contaminate sterile supplies, so the field must be replaced.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
A bare hand and wristwatch are contacting the sterile field. Nonsterile skin and jewelry contaminate sterile supplies, so the field must be replaced.

Why this is correct
A bare hand and wristwatch are nonsterile. Contact with the sterile field contaminates the supplies, so the field can no longer be treated as sterile.

Easy analogy or mental picture
Picture the sterile field as an unbroken boundary: once a nonsterile object crosses and touches it, the boundary is broken even if the contact area looks clean.

Memory hook
Bare skin and a wristwatch touching the field make the field contaminated.

NCLEX decision rule
When any nonsterile skin, jewelry, or object touches a sterile field, identify the contamination and replace affected supplies according to sterile technique.

Why the other choices are wrong
The sterile gloves, basin, and drape are expected components; selecting them without evidence of boundary violation misses the contamination event.References

- [1]CDC: Infection-control and surgical asepsis resources

## Clinical scenario

Clinical situation
The nurse is preparing a sterile procedure.

What the nurse should notice
A bare hand and wristwatch are contacting the sterile field. Nonsterile skin and jewelry contaminate sterile supplies, so the field must be replaced.

Transfer to practice
When any nonsterile skin, jewelry, or object touches a sterile field, identify the contamination and replace affected supplies according to sterile technique.

## Key concepts

- **Sterile field** — A prepared area intended to remain free of microorganisms.
- **Contamination** — Introduction of a nonsterile object or organism into a sterile area.

## Related questions

- [A nurse is caring for a client newly admitted with suspected methicillin-resistant Staphyl…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=360517&lang=en)
- [A nurse is about to enter the room of a client with Clostridioides difficile infection dur…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361226&lang=en)
- [A 22-year-old female client presents to the emergency department with a 4-week history of …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361677&lang=en)
- [A 65-year-old client admitted to the medical ICU with sepsis and acute delirium has just p…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361679&lang=en)
- [A new graduate registered nurse (RN) on a medical unit just hung an intravenous antibiotic…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361710&lang=en)
- [A nurse is caring for a client newly admitted with active Clostridioides difficile infecti…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363996&lang=en)
- [A nurse is caring for an adult client newly admitted with suspected active pulmonary tuber…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366306&lang=en)
- [A nurse cares for a client newly admitted with a positive surveillance culture for vancomy…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366709&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=499734&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

_For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._