Surgical Tech Practice Exam

Which member of the surgical team is responsible for positioning the patient on the operating table?

1. Surgeon

2. Anesthesiologist

3. Circulator

4. Scrub nurse

The correct answer is: Circulator

The circulator is responsible for positioning the patient on the operating table. This role is crucial because the circulator oversees the entire surgical environment and works to ensure that everything is set up correctly for the procedure. Proper positioning of the patient is vital for several reasons, including accessibility for the surgical team, the comfort and safety of the patient, and minimizing the risk of complications such as pressure injuries. The surgeon primarily focuses on the surgical procedure itself and directs how the operation will be performed, but they rely on the circulator to prepare the environment, which includes patient positioning. The anesthesiologist is concerned with administering anesthesia and monitoring the patient's vital signs, and while they are involved in the process, their focus is different from the positioning. The scrub nurse is primarily responsible for maintaining the sterile field and handling instruments during the surgery. In summary, the circulator plays a key supportive role by ensuring that the patient is positioned correctly to facilitate an effective and safe surgical procedure.