What should the circulating nurse document after using a tourniquet?

The documentation by the circulating nurse after using a tourniquet is crucial for ensuring patient safety and promoting best practices in perioperative care. Documenting both the pressure and time of inflation and deflation provides comprehensive record-keeping, which emphasizes maintaining the integrity and safety of the procedure.

Recording the pressure helps ensure that the tourniquet was applied correctly and safely, as excessive pressure can lead to complications such as tissue damage or compromised blood flow. Likewise, the timing for when the tourniquet was inflated and deflated is critical information, as keeping the tourniquet on for too long can also cause significant harm.

This thorough documentation allows for informed decision-making by the surgical team and can be essential for postoperative assessments and evaluations should complications arise. It provides a clear and actionable record that supports effective communication among team members.

Other options do not cover the scope of vital information needed for thorough documentation. For instance, documenting only the time of deflation is insufficient for tracking both the procedure's safety and effectiveness. Documenting just the location provides limited context and fails to address the important metrics of pressure and time. Similarly, recording the condition of the instruments used is not directly relevant to the use or management of the tourniquet itself. Hence, comprehensive documentation as