Final answer:
The duty of maintaining a sterile field is not solely the responsibility of the circulating nurse but rather a collective effort involving the entire surgical team, with the scrub nurse also playing a vital role in maintaining aseptic technique.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that maintenance of the sterile field is the duty of only the circulating nurse is false. In medical procedures, the sterile field is crucial for preventing infection and sepsis. While the circulating nurse plays a significant role, the responsibility of maintaining sterility extends to the entire surgical team. The surgical or scrub nurse, for instance, also has a role in ensuring that the sterile field is not compromised. Each team member must adhere to aseptic technique to prevent contamination.
Duties like reviewing procedural items aloud minimize the risk of error. This includes confirming the name of the procedure, the completeness of needle, sponge, and instrument counts, the correct labeling of specimens, as well as any equipment issues. These are collective responsibilities and are critical for patient safety.