After applying sterile gloves, the patient states she is uncomfortable and would like to move to her left side. What is the best way for the nurse to keep the gloves sterile while waiting for NAP to position the patient for a sterile dressing change?

Interlocking the fingers and keeping the hands above waist level is the best choice for maintaining the sterility of gloves while waiting for the nursing assistive personnel to reposition the patient. This technique ensures that the gloved hands are in a position that minimizes the risk of contamination. By interlocking the fingers, the nurse helps avoid contact between the gloves and any non-sterile surfaces. Keeping the hands above waist level further reduces the chance of touching objects or surfaces that may compromise the sterile field.

The other choices would not maintain the same level of sterility. Keeping the arms at the sides with elbows bent allows for a risk of the gloves touching the body or any surface that could be contaminated. Leaving the room momentarily breaks the sterile field as the nurse cannot ensure that contamination does not occur while away. Stepping back from the bedside does not help maintain sterility for the gloves and does not provide a solution for the immediate problem of waiting while keeping the gloves safe.