Which situation requires surgical asepsis?

Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, is required in situations where there is a need to prevent infection in areas of the body that are deemed sterile or when performing invasive procedures. Assisting with a sterile dressing change falls into this category because it involves exposing and managing a wound, which requires maintaining a sterile environment to avoid introducing pathogens that could lead to infection.

In this context, a sterile dressing change involves using sterile gloves and ensuring that all instruments and materials are free from microorganisms. This level of cleanliness is essential not only for the wound to heal properly but also to protect the patient from postoperative infections.

The other scenarios involve routine care that does not penetrate sterile environments or exposed areas requiring such stringent measures. For instance, a bed bath, changing a diaper, or feeding a patient are important tasks that adhere to clean technique but do not require the high level of caution that surgical asepsis demands.