Question

Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted by the

A) Surgeon
B) Anesthesia team
C) Scrub nurse or surgical technologist
D) Circulating nurse

Answer 1

Sponges added to the sterile field after procedure initiation are counted by the circulating nurse, who ensures all materials are accounted for, maintaining the sterile field and preventing retained surgical items.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sponges that have been added to the sterile field after a procedure has begun should be counted by the circulating nurse. It is the responsibility of the circulating nurse to ensure all sponges, needles, and instruments used during the procedure are accounted for. The nurse typically reviews these counts aloud with the surgical team to confirm their completion. This practice is crucial for maintaining a sterile field and preventing retained surgical items, a serious surgical complication.

This process is a part of the broader surgical safety checks that involve multiple members of the team. Before skin incision, the entire surgical team, including nurses, surgeons, and anesthesia professionals, perform a time out to orally confirm patient identity, surgical site, procedure, and conduct reviews of anticipated critical events such as operative duration and anticipated blood loss by the surgeon, concerns specific to the patient by the anesthesia staff, and equipment and sterility confirmations by the nursing staff.