How should you pass a hemostat to a surgeon in a sterile field?

• A. With jaws closed and tip pointed toward the surgeon
• B. With jaws open and tip away from the surgeon
• C. Turned sideways to prevent exposure
• D. Any orientation as long as sterile

Answer: (A)

In a sterile handoff, the instrument should be handed with the jaws closed and the tips directed toward the surgeon. Keeping the tips closed protects the sharp ends from contacting the sterile field and the surgeon’s gloves, reducing the risk of tissue injury or contamination. This orientation also lets the surgeon grasp the instrument by the handles in one smooth motion without needing to reposition it. If the jaws are open, the sharp points are exposed and the instrument is harder to cleanly receive; if the tip is away or turned sideways, the surgeon may need to rotate or reposition to grab it, which slows the handoff and increases contamination risk. An oriented, controlled pass is essential for safety and efficiency.