Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Maintaining aseptic technique throughout the procedure is essential during catheterization performed under sterile conditions because it directly impacts the prevention of infection. Aseptic technique involves a series of practices and procedures performed to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens into sterile areas. During catheterization, adhering to aseptic technique protects both the patient and healthcare provider by ensuring that the equipment, environment, and the procedural steps are all free from microorganisms.

This includes hand hygiene before and after the procedure, using sterilized instruments, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and ensuring that the catheter insertion site is properly cleaned and draped. Failing to maintain aseptic technique can lead to complications such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are significant healthcare-associated infections.

While explaining the procedure to the patient, utilizing local anesthetics, and the type of gloves used are important for overall patient care and comfort, they do not replace the critical requirement of maintaining aseptic technique, which is the foundation of preventing infection during invasive procedures.