Roles and Responsibilities of Scrub Nurse and Circulating Nurse in Operating Room

Case study- operating room
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

Placement at operating room- case study
I was placed for a week in emergency theatre as a part of 12 weeks programs. As I was a
part of orthopaedic theatre, I had got to observe hip and knee replacements. Registered nurse
working as the scrub nurse assists in surgical procedures by setting room before operation.
Scrub nurse work with physician as well as the patient till moved to recovery room (Niu et al.,
2017). It is the duty of the circulating nurse to ensure that everyone works as team right from
the preoperative to postoperative care. The nurse may pay strong attention to detail and act as
patient advocate, reposition the patient and address the family concerns (Aholaakko & Metsälä,
2015). I have selected the roles and responsibilities of scrub nurse and the circulating nurse
when assigned to attend the hip surgery of Mrs. X 69 year old lady, who has suffered a major fall
and injury.
Promotion of safe environment
According to competency- 4 of the perioperative registered nurses the scrub and
circulating nurse are responsible for eliminating the potential danger to the patient. They were
accountable to maintain safe environment (Ammouri et al., 2015).
As a scrub nurse I have used personal protective equipment, performed hand hygiene
(effective hand hygiene), and adhered to the trust’s safe management and handling of specimens
in operation room. It will protect from infections like HIV and others. Further, I have maintained
the positive patient interaction by meeting the emotional and spiritual needs in operating room.
The patient was positioned in the operation theatre to ensure ideal visualization and has no
physiological compromise and better access to surgical site. It was made sure that the
positioning did not cause any harm to the patient’s skin and joints. After safe transfer of patient

the skin preparation was the next step. I have tested the skin integrity and have documented the
same ((Kang et al., 2015).
Any drug related concerns in Mrs. X is addressed by circulating nurse before moving
patient to operation theatre. A complete head-to-toe assessment was conducted as a role of the
circulatory nurse. It includes airway assessment followed by neurovascular and pain assessment
for informing surgeon. To reduce the patient’s anxiety I had discussed with the patient in
presence of surgeon about the recovery and rehabilitation plans. It relieved the patient from
anxiety and stress that caused due to outcomes of surgery. As Mrs X was anxious about the pain
after surgery. I had assured her that on adhering to care practices and medication she would soon
recover and resume independence soon. I had explained her as to how the postoperative pain
would be managed. To be effective in professional communication I had maintained positive
body language and ensured that my words match the tone of voice while giving psychological
support and when interacting with family members (Kang et al., 2015).
Patient rights and dignities respected
The scrub nurse is also responsible to maintain patient’s dignity. Mrs X’s consult was
taken when assisting her for change of clothes and toileting before surgery. It was necessary as
Mrs. X had strong concern for her modesty (Northcott & Wilson, 2016). Addressing her concern
maintained patient’s dignity. I had effectively communicated with the patient, her husband and
elder daughter about the ongoing procedure. I had updated with every process being taken before
surgery as it is there right to know.
When communicating with Mrs. and family it is the role of circulatory nurse is to
maintain patient rights and dignity. I used polite tone as during initial interaction I have observed