In the sterile field, the sleeves of the surgeon’s gown are sterile to what height above the elbow?

• A. Shoe covers are sterile
• B. Gowns are sterile to the wrist
• C. Sleeves of sterile gowns are sterile to 2 inches above the elbows
• D. Only gloves are sterile

Answer: (C)

The level of sterility for the surgeon’s gown sleeves is defined so that the sterile portion includes the sleeves up to two inches above the elbow. This rule keeps the hands and forearms that actually reach into the sterile field protected, while the area near the cuff is not counted as sterile to prevent breaching sterility if the hand or forearm brushes against nonsterile surfaces. Shoes covers are not sterile, and the gown itself is not sterile all the way to the wrist, so the only area treated as sterile for the sleeves is the portion up to two inches above the elbow.