Which of the following can contribute to postoperative infections?

• A. Use of prophylactic antibiotics
• B. Sterile operating environment
• C. Contaminated surgical instruments
• D. Proper hand hygiene by medical staff

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that postoperative infections occur when pathogens enter the body during or after surgery, leading to infection at the surgical site or elsewhere.
2. Evaluate each option by considering whether it increases or decreases the risk of infection: use of prophylactic antibiotics generally helps prevent infections, sterile operating environments reduce contamination, and proper hand hygiene by medical staff also reduces infection risk.
3. Identify that contaminated surgical instruments can introduce harmful microorganisms directly into the surgical site, making them a significant source of postoperative infections.
4. Recognize that preventing postoperative infections involves minimizing exposure to pathogens, which means avoiding contamination of instruments and maintaining strict aseptic techniques.
5. Conclude that among the options, contaminated surgical instruments are the factor that can contribute to postoperative infections because they serve as a direct vehicle for pathogen transmission.