Which responsibilities should a scrub nurse perform during surgery?

The responsibility of performing counts of sponges, needles, and instruments is critical for maintaining patient safety and preventing retained surgical items, which can lead to serious complications. This task is part of the scrub nurse's role in maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring that all surgical tools and materials are accounted for throughout the procedure. The accurate counting process helps in minimizing risks during and after surgery, as it provides a systematic method to verify that nothing has been left inside the patient.

This function is performed in collaboration with the surgical team, reinforcing communication and team dynamics which are essential in an operating room setting. The scrub nurse's attention to detail in this regard plays a vital role in the overall success of the surgical process, contributing directly to patient outcomes.

The other responsibilities, while important in the surgical context, do not fall under the typical duties of a scrub nurse. For instance, documenting the surgical procedure is generally performed by the circulating nurse, who manages and tracks the overall operation. Similarly, monitoring anesthesia is a responsibility entrusted to anesthesia professionals, ensuring that the patient's vital signs are stable throughout the surgery. Setting up the operating room, while part of the surgical team's preparations, is usually a broader responsibility that may also involve the circulating nurse. Each of these roles contributes to the