A circulating nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing to laparotomy under a general anesthesia in the Operating Room. What is the PRIORITY…

Role of Circulating Nurse: The circulating nurse manages the overall environment of the operating

room, ensuring safety and coordination among the surgical team. They are responsible for

maintaining patient safety, including correct positioning.

Prioritizing Safety:

Risk for anxiety: While relevant, managing anxiety is typically addressed preoperatively and

postoperatively, not the immediate intraoperative period.

Risk for bleeding: While bleeding is a concern, it is primarily monitored and managed by the surgical

team.

Risk for injury related to positioning: During surgery, improper positioning can lead to nerve damage,

pressure sores, and musculoskeletal injuries. The circulating nurse must ensure that the patient is

correctly positioned to avoid these injuries.

Risk for infection: Preventing infection is crucial, but the sterile field and surgical techniques

primarily address this risk.

Conclusion: The highest priority for the circulating nurse is to ensure the patient is correctly

positioned to prevent any injury related to positioning, as this is a direct and immediate

responsibility during the surgical procedure.

Reference: Surgical nursing textbooks, NCLEX-RN review guides, AORN (Association of periOperative

Registered Nurses) guidelines.