Which statement best describes the circulating nurse's responsibilities?

• A. Performs the surgical procedure.
• B. Oversees patient care, ensures sterility, retrieves supplies, documents, coordinates with anesthesia, and maintains non-sterile environment safety.
• C. Monitors the patient’s vital signs only.
• D. Preps the patient’s skin with antiseptic.

Answer: (B)

In the operating room, the circulating nurse functions as the non‑sterile coordinator who ensures patient safety and smooth workflow. This role involves overseeing patient care and safety, maintaining sterility within the non‑sterile environment, retrieving supplies and instruments as needed, documenting events and procedures, coordinating with anesthesia about the patient’s status, and ensuring overall room safety and organization. Because this nurse stays outside the sterile field, they do not perform the surgical procedure, and their duties extend beyond just monitoring vital signs or performing skin prep. Monitoring vitals and performing skin preparation are responsibilities of the anesthesia team and the scrub/sterile team, respectively. The circulating nurse supports the operation by facilitating communication, equipment availability, and safety checks to keep the case moving efficiently and safely.