Chloraprep for C-sections

Yes, you do use sterile gloves. The main difference between Chloraprep and betadine is with betadine you do not go over the same place twice. With Chloraprep, you can - just start at the incision point, going back and forth as you work up the abdomen, usually to just below the breasts, and then you go down each thigh (just a bit past the groin, not the entire thigh) and towards the mons. Don't forget to wet some sterile swabs with the solution and clean out the umbilicus FIRST, before you start the scrub.

Can you watch another nurse do it first?

At my facility we have an applicator wand that applies chloraprep so I never touch the incision area. I don't need to wear sterile gloves although I usually have on clean gloves just because.

Yes, that was what I was referring to as well - using the wand that you snap open, with the sponge on the end.

The wand is easy. I don't think there's much rhyme or reason to applying it. I start at the incision and work my way up using horizontal back and forth strokes. Most of the docs who apply it don't even wear gloves and they all apply it in different directions. The most important thing to know about the prep wand is to not touch it and wait 3 minutes for it to dry or else your patient will catch on fire.

How far down do you go? I believe we prep down the thighs too. I'd love to watch another nurse but am a new traveler, and didn't happen to get a section in my orientation day on the unit, just got to watch the counts and learn the pacu for a few hours. I jsut want to make sure that I do the best job I can. I know to put on the apgar timer for 3 minutes before they can start.

We have the wand, and don't touch the field, so clean gloves are all that is necessary. When inserviced by our rep, Chloraprep was taught to aggressively friction-scrub back and forth over the actual incision area, then use wide overlapping strokes. The prep must dry to work...do not drape too early....we let dry 4 min minimum.

We have the wand and use sterile gloves. It's very easy once you learn how to do it correctly.