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Sterile technique is required when contrast agents are administered:

  1. rectally

  2. orally

  3. intrathecally

  4. through NG tube

The correct answer is: intrathecally

Sterile technique is essential for administering contrast agents intrathecally because the procedure involves injecting the contrast directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the spinal canal. This technique carries a high risk of introducing pathogens into a sterile environment, which can lead to severe infections such as meningitis. Maintaining a sterile field prevents contamination and helps ensure patient safety. Other methods of contrast administration, such as orally, rectally, or through a nasogastric (NG) tube, do not require the same level of sterility since they are not directly entering a sterile body cavity. The gastrointestinal tract and the rectal route expose the contrast to the body’s natural flora, which generally does not pose the same risk of infection as an intrathecal injection. Thus, while proper technique is always important in medical procedures, the requirements for sterility vary significantly depending on the route of administration.