Which of the following is not a responsibility of scrub nurse?

Appeared in: NIA - 29 January 2023

Explanation

The scrub nurse is a sterile member of the surgical team and must remain within the sterile field during the procedure.
Taking orders from a ward nurse involves communication outside the sterile operating room environment.
This communication role is a key responsibility of the circulating nurse, who acts as the liaison between the sterile surgical team and the outside.
A scrub nurse leaving the sterile field to take an order would be a major break in aseptic technique, compromising patient safety.

Option A: Preparing the operating trolley with sterile instruments and supplies is a fundamental and primary responsibility of the scrub nurse before the surgery begins.
Option B: Assisting the surgeon by passing instruments, holding retractors, and managing sutures is a central part of the scrub nurse's role during the operation.
Option C: At the conclusion of the surgery, the scrub nurse is responsible for applying the initial sterile dressing over the surgical incision before the drapes are removed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Roles and responsibilities of a scrub nurse in the operating room helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the distinct roles of the scrub and circulating nurse is critical for patient safety, preventing surgical site infections, and ensuring the efficiency of the surgical procedure.
Strict adherence to these roles prevents breaks in sterility, which can lead to serious complications for the patient.
What if? If a scrub nurse were to take an order from a ward nurse, they would have to break scrub and leave the sterile field. This would halt the procedure, require the nurse to perform a full surgical scrub again, and potentially contaminate the field, increasing the risk of infection and delaying the surgery.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'not a responsibility' and 'scrub nurse'. The negative framing is crucial.
Recall the primary function of a scrub nurse: to maintain sterility and assist the surgeon within the sterile field.
Evaluate each option based on this primary function.
Option A, 'Prepare operating trolley,' is a sterile setup task, so it's a scrub nurse duty.
Option B, 'Assists Surgery,' is the core intraoperative function of a scrub nurse.
Option C, 'Apply dressing,' is the final sterile task performed by the scrub nurse.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Roles and responsibilities of a scrub nurse in the operating room.
Stem keywords: scrub nurse, responsibility
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: This question uses a negative lead-in ('NOT'), asking you to identify the action that is outside the scope of practice for a scrub nurse.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 188-190

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

Practise the full NIA - 29 January 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.