Which practice should be followed while setting up a sterile field?

Avoiding reaching across the sterile field is crucial for maintaining sterility. When you reach across the field, there is a risk of introducing non-sterile items or contaminants, ultimately compromising the sterility of the procedure. The principle behind this practice is to minimize exposure of the sterile area to potential sources of contamination, such as clothing, unsterile objects, or even airborne particles. Maintaining a strict boundary around the sterile field helps ensure that the items and the area remain uncontaminated, which is vital for procedures that require a high level of sterility, such as surgeries.

In contrast, keeping all items below waist level can lead to contamination since the waist is considered non-sterile. Using any available surface to place sterile items is not advisable as it may introduce pathogens. Lastly, while wearing gloves is important, relying solely on a single pair may not be adequate for all procedures where multiple glove changes and layers may be necessary for optimal protection.