A healthcare provider is performing a sterile procedure at a client's bedside. If a break in asepsis is observed, what should the nurse do?

• A. Continue with the procedure quietly
• B. Identify the break and provide another set of sterile supplies
• C. Apply gloves over contaminated gloves
• D. Notify the patient and proceed

Answer: (B)

When sterility is breached, the priority is to stop and restore a clean environment before continuing. The best action is to identify exactly where the break occurred and replace the entire sterile setup with a fresh set of sterile supplies. This reestablishes a true sterile field, preventing potential contamination from compromising the procedure. Continuing with the compromised supplies or trying to cover contaminated gloves would not fix the breach and could expose the patient to infection. By identifying the break and providing a new sterile set, you reset the barriers that protect the patient from infection and can safely resume the procedure.