BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy

For an operation theatre (OT) nurse should prepare?

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

  • A Mayo trolley, or Mayo stand, is specifically designed to hold sterile instruments and supplies required for immediate use during a surgical procedure.
  • It is positioned over or next to the patient, within the sterile field, allowing the surgeon and scrub nurse easy and quick access to tools.
  • Preparing the Mayo trolley is a core responsibility of the OT nurse to ensure the surgery proceeds smoothly and sterile technique is maintained.
  • The stand is adjustable and placed conveniently for the surgical team, making it an essential piece of furniture for any operation.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: A dressing trolley is equipped for wound care, such as changing dressings and removing sutures, not for holding the primary set of instruments for a major surgical procedure.
  • Option B: An emergency trolley, or 'crash cart,' contains life-saving medications and equipment for resuscitation (e.g., defibrillator, intubation supplies). It is not used for the planned instruments of a routine surgery.
  • Option D: A 'washing trolley' is not a standard term for a trolley prepared for surgery. Trolleys are used to transport soiled instruments to the decontamination or 'washing' area after a procedure is complete, not to prepare for one.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: Knowing Equipment preparation in the operation theatre helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
  • Proper preparation and management of the Mayo trolley are critical for maintaining aseptic technique and preventing surgical site infections (SSIs), a major patient safety concern.
  • An efficiently organized Mayo stand ensures the surgeon has the right instrument at the right time, which can reduce surgical duration, minimize anesthesia time, and prevent potential complications.
  • What if? If the surgeon requires an instrument that was not placed on the Mayo stand, the circulating nurse must retrieve it and present it to the scrub nurse using a sterile technique. This process takes time and slightly increases the risk of contamination, highlighting the importance of thorough pre-operative planning.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core question: What specific trolley does an OT nurse prepare for a surgical procedure?
  • Analyze the setting provided, which is the 'operation theatre' (OT). This implies a sterile environment for surgery.
  • Evaluate the function of each option. Consider what each trolley is typically used for in a hospital.
  • Recall that the Mayo trolley (or stand) is the primary surface for holding frequently used sterile instruments within the sterile field.
  • Eliminate the other options based on their distinct functions: 'Dressing trolley' for wound care, 'Emergency trolley' for resuscitation, and 'Washing trolley' for post-procedure cleaning.
  • Conclude that the Mayo trolley is the only option directly related to the setup of instruments for an ongoing surgery.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Equipment preparation in the operation theatre
  • Stem keywords: operation theatre, OT, nurse, prepare
  • Lead-in keywords: should prepare
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QHD63KKCFTK9Pecga3xzRF

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 p. 69-71

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