After orienting a new staff member to the scrub nurse role, the nurse preceptor will know that the teaching was effective if the new staff member

• A. documents all patient care accurately
• B. labels all specimens to send to the lab
• C. keeps both hands above the operating table level
• D. takes the patient to the postanesthesia recovery area

Answer: (C)

Maintaining a sterile field is the key idea here. In the scrub nurse role, keeping both hands above the operating table level ensures the hands and forearms stay within the sterile field and protected by sterile drapes. This position prevents contact with any nonsterile areas (like lower surfaces or nonsterile air) and reduces the risk of contaminating sterile instruments or the surgical wound. The other activities listed—documenting patient care, labeling specimens, or transporting the patient to recovery—are important tasks, but they don’t directly demonstrate adherence to sterile technique or the maintenance of a sterile field during the procedure.