If a fire occurs in the OR during a surgical procedure, which action can the scrub person assist with at the sterile field?

a. Use a towel to fan the area over the fire to assist with lowering the smoke that is created.
b. Place a dry sterile towel or laparotomy tape over the fire source to contain it.
c. Place a metal basin over the source of fire to prevent its spread.
d. Use saline soaked towels or laparotomy tapes to smother the fire on the field.

ANS: D
The fire on the field is smothered with wet towels, and burning drapes are removed from the patient. The scrub person can provide saline-moistened tape to pack the surgical site, cover the site with a sterile towel or drape, and attempt to stay sterile to prevent infection. Although the safety of the patient is the main concern, the scrub person can attempt to maintain the wound and sterile field while the fire is being extinguished.