The circulating nurse is caring for a patient intraoperatively. Which primary role of the circulating nurse will be implemented?

A) Suturing the surgical incision in the OR suite
B) Managing patient care activities in the OR suite
C) Assisting with applying sterile drapes in the OR suite
D) Handing sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon in the OR suite

The circulating nurse is an RN who remains unscrubbed and uses the nursing process in the management of patient care activities in the OR suite. The circulating nurse also manages patient positioning, antimicrobial skin preparation, medications, implants, placement and function of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, specimens, warming devices and surgical counts of instruments, and dressings. The RN first assistant collaborates with the surgeon by handling and cutting tissue, using instruments and medical devices, providing exposure of the surgical area and hemostasis, and suturing. The scrub nurse, who can be a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a surgical technologist, maintains the sterile field, assists with applying the sterile drapes, and hands sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon.