Surgical Tech Practice Exam

What is the specimen placed in prior to passing it off the surgical field?

1. Sterile water

2. Formal saline

3. Sterile saline

4. Normal saline

The correct answer is: Sterile saline

The correct response is that the specimen is placed in sterile saline prior to being passed off the surgical field. Sterile saline is used because it is a sterile solution that helps preserve the integrity of the tissue, prevents dehydration, and minimizes contamination during the transfer process. This is particularly important for specimens that may undergo further examination or procedures post-surgery. In the context of surgical practice, maintaining the viability of the specimen is crucial, and using sterile saline ensures that the specimen remains in a suitable condition until it can be appropriately handled or analyzed. The other solutions, such as formal saline, are not typically used for this purpose due to their preservative properties that may alter the specimen's characteristics. Normal saline, while similar to sterile saline, is not the preferred choice in this specific context, and sterile water is generally not used because it lacks the necessary isotonic properties to maintain cellular integrity.