During bedside wound debridement for a mildly confused client with a sterile field, which safety intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Instruct the client to keep hands under the sterile field.
• B. Continue with procedure regardless of patient movements.
• C. Allow the patient to lean over the sterile field.
• D. Move the sterile field to accommodate patient comfort.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a sterile field is essential to prevent infection during bedside wound debridement. A mildly confused patient may instinctively touch or move toward the sterile setup, risking contamination. The safest approach is to instruct the patient to keep hands away from the sterile area by keeping them under the sterile field or away from the action, so they cannot reach into the field. If the patient moves or becomes restless, pause and secure the field rather than continuing, as moving the field or allowing leaning over would compromise sterility and safety. This boundary helps protect the wound while you complete the procedure.