The four phases of surgical care are preoperative care, intraoperative care, post anesthesia care, and:

A. Preparing the sterile field. This is the responsibility of the scrub person, not the circulating nurse. The circulating nurse is responsible for ensuring everything is in place and the environment is safe, but the sterile field is prepared by the scrub person.

B. Pointing out the observation of contamination immediately to the personnel involved. The circulating nurse is responsible for monitoring the sterile field and surgical environment and immediately pointing out any breaches in sterile technique or contamination to ensure patient safety.

C. Assisting with sterile draping of the patient. The scrub person usually assists with draping the patient in a sterile manner. The circulating nurse may provide the necessary sterile drapes but does not typically assist with the draping procedure directly.

D. Maintaining an accurate count of sponges. The responsibility for counting sponges, instruments, and other items used during the surgery belongs to the scrub person, not the circulating nurse.

A. Observe the amount of drainage from the surgical site. While the nurse in the PACU should monitor for complications, the primary focus is on the patient’s immediate recovery, such as airway management and vital signs. Drainage is important but is usually addressed once the patient is stable.

B. Assist the patient to maintain a patent airway. The primary role in the PACU is to monitor and maintain the patient’s airway. Ensuring that the patient is breathing properly is the most critical priority immediately postoperatively.

C. Keep the family posted on the patient's condition. While family communication is important, it is not the primary function of the nurse in the PACU, as the focus should be on monitoring the patient’s immediate condition post-surgery.

D. Maintain safety for the patient while unconscious. The nurse in the PACU must ensure that the patient is safe while unconscious, including monitoring for complications from anesthesia and ensuring that the patient’s vital signs remain stable.

E. Stimulate the patient to hasten return of consciousness. While it is important to help the patient regain consciousness, this should be done gently. The nurse should not aggressively stimulate the patient, as anesthesia will wear off naturally over time.