If the scrub nurse needs to change a glove during an operation, who removes the glove?

If the scrub nurse needs to change a glove during an operation, who removes the glove?

• A. The scrub nurse pulls the glove off
• B. The circulator pulls the glove off
• C. The surgeon pulls the glove off
• D. A nurse anesthetist pulls the glove off

Answer: (B)

Maintaining asepsis in the operating room means the person who handles the removal of a glove must not be part of the sterile field. When a glove needs to come off, the circulator—the non-sterile team member—takes on the task. This keeps the contaminated surface away from the sterile field and hands still considered sterile. The scrub nurse can then hand the hand back to sterile status and re-don a clean glove with appropriate assistance, once hand hygiene is performed. In short, the circulator removes the glove to prevent contaminating the sterile area.

Maintaining asepsis in the operating room means the person who handles the removal of a glove must not be part of the sterile field. When a glove needs to come off, the circulator—the non-sterile team member—takes on the task. This keeps the contaminated surface away from the sterile field and hands still considered sterile. The scrub nurse can then hand the hand back to sterile status and re-don a clean glove with appropriate assistance, once hand hygiene is performed. In short, the circulator removes the glove to prevent contaminating the sterile area.