This study guide and accompanying video are intended to provide guidance for perioperative nurses and other health care professionals who participate in preoperative skin assessment and preparation for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.

Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• State the rationale for preoperative skin preparation
• Describe at least two techniques for skin preparation
• Identify the information to be documented after surgical skin preparation
• List the criteria for an antimicrobial skin preparation product