Okuzeka
Nursing vocabulary · Infection Control

Sterile

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˈstɛrəl/adjectiveCore term

In nursing, sterile means: Completely free from bacteria and other living microorganisms, so that it can safely touch wounds or the inside of the body.

In Turkish: steril, mikropsuz

How it is used

Used for equipment and techniques: 'sterile gloves', 'sterile field', 'sterile dressing pack', 'Is this still sterile?' If a sterile item touches something that is not sterile, it is 'contaminated' and must be replaced. The related word for the method is 'aseptic'.

Example sentences

  1. Open the sterile pack without touching the inside.

  2. The catheter touched the bed sheet, so it's no longer sterile.

Common collocations

  • sterile gloves
  • sterile field
  • sterile water
  • sterile dressing pack
  • keep something sterile
  • aseptic techniqueA set of working methods that stops germs from getting into a wound, a vein or another part of the body during a procedure.
  • dressingA covering put on a wound to protect it, absorb fluid and help it heal, such as a gauze pad, a film or a foam dressing.
  • urinary catheterA thin, flexible tube passed into the bladder, usually through the urethra, to drain urine into a bag.
  • hand hygieneCleaning your hands with soap and water or an alcohol hand rub to remove germs and stop them spreading between patients.

More terms: Infection Control

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.