a. As you arrange instruments from the instrument set on the back table and Mayo tray, you will open other small items and arrange them on both the back table and Mayo tray in preparation for the operation. Some have been mentioned which were displayed in the illustrations.

b. The emesis basin is placed on the back table. The sponges, the 4 x 8’s, the suction tubing, the stick sponges, etc., are wrapped separately and must be opened and arranged. The circulator may open the wrappers and pass them to the scrub as shown in Figure 3-23.

The circulator will pass the knife blades to you and you will attach the knife blades to the handles. You must always use an instrument (a strong needle holder), never your fingers, to attach the blade to the handle. Holding the cutting edge down and away from you, grasp the blade at its widest and strongest part with a needle holder and slip the blade into the groove on the knife handle. When you hear a click, you know the blade is in place. You must never touch the cutting edge of the blade. After inserting the blades, place the knife holder with blade on the Mayo tray as shown in Figure 3-22.