What is an essential task for the nursing team during the intraoperative phase?

Ensuring proper function of surgical equipment is a critical task during the intraoperative phase because this phase involves the actual performance of the surgical procedure. The safety and success of the surgery heavily depend on the functionality and reliability of various surgical tools and equipment. Nurses play a vital role in monitoring and checking equipment before and during the surgery to prevent any malfunctions that could jeopardize patient safety or the outcome of the operation.

While tasks such as preparing the patient for discharge, reviewing postoperative care, and obtaining laboratory results are important aspects of overall patient management, they are not specific to the intraoperative phase. Instead, these tasks are typically carried out before or after the surgery, highlighting the uniqueness of the intraoperative responsibilities. In this context, ensuring that all surgical instruments and technology are functioning properly sets the stage for a successful surgical experience, which is why it is considered an essential task.