Which perioperative action can the nurse delegate to a surgical technologist?

• A. Complete the patient's admission assessment.
• B. Pass sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
• C. Teach the patient about what to expect in the operating room (OR).
• D. Give the postoperative report to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is the division of tasks in the operating room between the surgical team roles. A surgical technologist works within the sterile field to handle instruments and supplies, pass them to the surgeon as requested, and anticipate instrument needs during the procedure. This hands-on, instrument-handling role is distinct from clinical assessment, patient education, or postoperative handoffs, which are the responsibilities of the nursing staff.

Passing sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon is within a surgical technologist’s scope because it directly supports the procedure while maintaining the sterile field and workflow. Nurses retain responsibility for preoperative assessment, patient teaching, and postoperative handoffs to the PACU, so those tasks aren’t delegated to the technologist.