If antiseptic prep becomes recontaminated during draping, what action should be taken?

• A. Re-prepare only the compromised area
• B. Re-prep and re-drape to restore a sterile field
• C. Ignore and proceed
• D. Wipe with sterile saline

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a sterile field requires re-establishing sterility whenever that field is compromised. If antiseptic prep becomes recontaminated during draping, the correct action is to re-prep and re-drape to restore a sterile field. Re-prepping the entire area ensures the skin is properly antiseptized and dry, preventing residual organisms from posing a risk. Re-draping creates a fresh, intact barrier between nonsterile surfaces and the sterile field. Attempting to re-prep only the compromised spot risks leaving adjacent areas contaminated, and wiping with sterile saline doesn’t reliably remove microbes or restore sterility. Ignoring the lapse is unsafe, so start over with a full re-prep and re-drape to maintain a safe operative field.