What is a crucial step for a PCT when preparing a sterile field?

The preparation of a sterile field is essential in healthcare settings to prevent infection and maintain patient safety during procedures. Ensuring that all items are sterile and maintaining a barrier is fundamental because it creates a controlled environment where microorganisms are minimized.

In a sterile field, all instruments and materials must be free from pathogens to ensure patient safety. This step involves not only verifying that each item is sterile but also arranging them in such a way that they are not contaminated once the field is established. Maintaining a barrier is critical, as it helps to define the area of sterility and prevents unsterile items or actions from compromising the sterile environment. This controlled approach ensures that the sterile field remains intact until the procedure is complete.

The other options, while related to infection control, do not meet the essential requirement for creating and maintaining a sterile field. For instance, wearing gloves before cleaning does not ensure the sterility of the field, and leaving the area open to air increases the risk of contamination from airborne pathogens. Gathering all items in one large container also poses a risk, as it does not assure that all items remain sterile and can lead to confusion about which items are sterile once they are removed from the container.