1. Who is responsible for preventing fires in the operating room? a. Only the surgeon b. Only anesthesia staff c. The Charge Nurse d. All perioperative personnel

1. Who is responsible for preventing fires in the operating room? a. Only the surgeon b. Only anesthesia staff c. The Charge Nurse d. All perioperative personnel

Answer

The correct answer is d. All perioperative personnel. Fire safety in the operating room is a shared responsibility among every member of the surgical team. Since an OR fire requires an oxidizer (oxygen), an ignition source (electrosurgical unit, laser, fiber optic light), and a fuel source (drapes, prep solutions), multiple disciplines manage these elements. Therefore, every healthcare worker present in the operating room must be vigilant and proactive in preventing fires, making options a, b, and c incorrect because they limit responsibility to a single individual or role.