A draping routine usually begins with:

A draping routine usually begins with:

• A. A plain sheet
• B. A stockinette
• C. A fenestrated drape
• D. A towel or sticky drape

Answer: (D)

The initial step in draping is to place a towel or sticky drape. This creates a clean, dry base and helps isolate and secure the surrounding area, anchoring the sterile field so fluids and contaminants don’t reach the operative site. It also provides a surface that can grip and hold subsequent drapes in place, reducing movement during the procedure. A plain sheet lacks the barrier and adhesive properties needed to reliably establish a sterile field. A stockinette is typically used for dressing or coverage of limbs, not as the first drape to define the sterile field. A fenestrated drape is important for outlining the operative window, but it’s normally added after the initial isolation layer to create the sterile window over the site.

The initial step in draping is to place a towel or sticky drape. This creates a clean, dry base and helps isolate and secure the surrounding area, anchoring the sterile field so fluids and contaminants don’t reach the operative site. It also provides a surface that can grip and hold subsequent drapes in place, reducing movement during the procedure. A plain sheet lacks the barrier and adhesive properties needed to reliably establish a sterile field. A stockinette is typically used for dressing or coverage of limbs, not as the first drape to define the sterile field. A fenestrated drape is important for outlining the operative window, but it’s normally added after the initial isolation layer to create the sterile window over the site.