When performing surgical asepsis, which step should a medical assistant take to prevent contamination of the sterile field?

In surgical asepsis, the goal is to maintain a sterile field to prevent contamination during procedures. Placing all sterile items in the center of the sterile field is an effective practice because it minimizes the risk of contact with non-sterile surfaces or items around the edges of the field. The center of the sterile field is considered the safest area and is less likely to be contaminated by movement or external factors.

Keeping items centrally located also helps to ensure that the sterile field remains organized, allowing the medical assistant to easily access the items without crossing over them. This organization promotes a controlled environment, which is crucial for maintaining sterility throughout the procedure.

The other steps, while potentially useful, do not specifically address preventing contamination of the sterile field as effectively as centering items. Therefore, focusing on this practice supports the overarching goal of maintaining a sterile environment for surgical procedures.