Surgical Tech Practice Exam

Which team member is responsible for the care and transfer of the specimen in the intraoperative period?

1. Surgical tech

2. Surgical first assistant

3. Anesthesiologist

4. Surgeon

The correct answer is: Surgical tech

The surgical technologist plays a crucial role in the intraoperative period, especially regarding the care and transfer of surgical specimens. This team member ensures that specimens are handled correctly to preserve their integrity for pathological examination. The surgical technologist also prepares the necessary equipment and supplies for specimen collection, maintains a sterile field during the procedure, and coordinates with other team members to ensure that specimens are properly labeled and transferred to the pathology department quickly. This attention to detail is vital as it helps to prevent mix-ups and ensures that accurate diagnostic analyses can be performed. In contrast, while other team members, such as the surgeon, surgical first assistant, and anesthesiologist, have important roles in the surgical procedure, they do not typically have the primary responsibility for the handling and transfer of specimens. The surgeon and surgical first assistant focus more on surgical technique and patient care during the procedure, while the anesthesiologist is primarily concerned with the patient's anesthesia management.