More Questions on this topic
More Questions on this topic ( 18 Questions)
The circulating nurse notices that an incorrect sponge count has been reported by the scrub nurse during an abdominal surgery. What action should be taken by the circulating nurse?
This is the correct answer. This is to prevent the risk of leaving a foreign object inside the patient, which can cause serious complications such as infection, abscess, bowel obstruction, or perforation.
This is incorrect. Notifying anesthesia personnel is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. Anesthesia personnel are not responsible for counting or searching for sponges, and they cannot intervene in the surgical procedure without the surgeon's consent. The surgeon is the one who needs to be informed first, as they have the authority and ability to search the wound and decide whether to continue or stop the surgery.
This is incorrect. Notifying risk management is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. Risk management is a department that deals with identifying, assessing, and minimizing potential hazards in health care settings. While it is important to report any adverse events or errors to risk management, this should be done after ensuring the patient's safety and resolving the issue. The priority is to notify the surgeon and search for the missing sponge.
This is incorrect. Notifying operating room supervisor is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. The operating room supervisor is a person who oversees the daily operations of the surgical suite, such as staffing, scheduling, equipment, and supplies. While they may be involved in addressing any problems or conflicts that arise in the OR, they are not directly responsible for counting or searching for sponges, and they cannot interfere with the surgical procedure without the surgeon's consent. The priority is to notify the surgeon and search for the missing sponge.
Choice A reason:
This is the correct answer. This is to prevent the risk of leaving a foreign object inside the patient, which can cause serious complications such as infection, abscess, bowel obstruction, or perforation.
Choice B reason:
This is incorrect. Notifying anesthesia personnel is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. Anesthesia personnel are not responsible for counting or searching for sponges, and they cannot intervene in the surgical procedure without the surgeon's consent. The surgeon is the one who needs to be informed first, as they have the authority and ability to search the wound and decide whether to continue or stop the surgery.
Choice C reason:
This is incorrect. Notifying risk management is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. Risk management is a department that deals with identifying, assessing, and minimizing potential hazards in health care settings. While it is important to report any adverse events or errors to risk management, this should be done after ensuring the patient's safety and resolving the issue. The priority is to notify the surgeon and search for the missing sponge.
Choice D reason:
This is incorrect. Notifying operating room supervisor is not the priority action when an incorrect sponge count is reported. The operating room supervisor is a person who oversees the daily operations of the surgical suite, such as staffing, scheduling, equipment, and supplies. While they may be involved in addressing any problems or conflicts that arise in the OR, they are not directly responsible for counting or searching for sponges, and they cannot interfere with the surgical procedure without the surgeon's consent. The priority is to notify the surgeon and search for the missing sponge.